rsa – Chanters Lodge Livingstone

Tilman Schimmel

Meet Tilman Schimmel (pictured above), economist, soon-to-be fully fledged lawyer and thoroughly nice guy from near Stuttgart, Germany. Tilman was our guest on the 1st 2011 edition of the Chanters Lodge Experience with the Milli Jam Ingredient featuring George da Soulchild, our Sunday night radio show that airs on Zambezi Radio 107.7 fm weekly between 20.30 and 21.30 hrs. 107.7 fm is Livingstone’s best loved local radio station with a listener radius of about 70 kms, strong enough to be heard in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe and Kasane in Botswana.

Tilman was staying at Chanters Lodge for a week, prior to travelling to Johannesburg, South Africa, to take up a 3 month internship with LindsayKeller top attorneys – ‘solution orientated thinking’ quote/unquote! Tilman told listeners that he was very much looking forward to the challenge, though somewhat concerned about the reported dangers of life in Johannesburg. This attachment forms part of the law degree course that he has nearly completed at Eberhard-Karls University, Tubingen.

Still young, Tilman loves to travel which he’s been doing since age 16 and we were surprised to hear that he’d already visited 73 different countries! He professed to love South Africa, Nepal and Seychelles the most. Couldn’t differ with him on the last one, having spent two and a half happy years in Seychelles – ‘The Islands of Love’ – as Food and Beverage Manager, Reef Hotel back in the 70’s.

“Are you married”? Milli Jam asked Tilman. He replied he was not, but told listeners he had a girlfriend back in Stuttgart, a teacher, unable to travel to Zambia with him as she was ‘dogsitting’. A phrase, I suspect, not too easily understood by our Zambian listeners! He was very much hoping she’d be able to join him for a while during his time in Johannesburg.

The music on the show was good. After our opening theme by Aggro Santos we spun ‘Immabadboy’ a single by Mr.Vezzy featuring Mugeez from R2Bees the Ghanian outfit. Vezzy is a DJ on Qfm one of Lusaka’s hot radio stations and this single’s making waves – “brought to you by Richard Chanter via Twitter” I added! We played it back to back with Sean Kingston’s ‘Party All Night’ which Zambians were still doing as our show aired! George’s Zambian selection was ‘old and new’ – the old – Black Muntu’s ‘Chibzibe’, the new – B’flow’s ‘No More Kawilo’. I really liked that one, “what does it mean”? I enquired. ‘No more being single’ I was told, though as usual there appeared to be some debate!

Milli Jam wanted to know what activities Tilman had done or had planned while he was in Zambia. It was clear that he was very interested in the local culture and had even been playing ‘solo’, a traditional game, in Livingstone Zimbabwe Market with local characters. The following day he had a trip planned to Zimbabwe to see ‘the other side’ of Victoria Falls, and the day afterwards a visit to Botswana on the Chobe 1 day safari offered by Chanters Lodge. Tilman has a keen interest in animals and wildlife.

The music continued with ‘Fireworks’ by Alicia Keys ft Drake and the ‘still at number one in UK’ Matt Cardle’s cover of the Biffy Clyro number ‘When We Collide’ (originally ‘Many Of Horror’ – gotta be one of the weirdist pop titles ever!) We gave away the usual dinner for two – won by Lydia for rightly texting us that Tilman was from Germany and updated listeners on pop chart information from UK and USA, and this week Germany too in deference to Tilman.

“So you’re a qualified economist and soon-to-be fully fledged lawyer” Milli Jam observed to Tilman, “what sort of job would you like when your course is through”? After a pause for thought Tilman replied that he’d love to hold a post with an international company which afforded him the opportunity to travel. Great stuff – and I wouldn’t bet against this serious young man achieving his ambition.

4
JAN

Africa, Botswana, Chanters, Germany, guests, livingstone, music, radioshow, rsa, victoriafalls, Zambia, Zimbabwe

Craig Brown & Abby Wills

Craig and Abby, pictured above, staying at Chanters Lodge, guested on the latest edition of our Sunday night radio show – the Chanters Lodge Experience with the Milli Jam Ingredient featuring George da Soulchild – which airs every Sunday night from 20.30 – 21.30 hours on Zambezi Radio 107.7 fm, Livingstone’s leading local radio station. It was the last show of 2010!

Craig’s a New Zealander, Abby’s English, and although not married they’re partners and currently live in Johannesburg, South Africa where Craig’s a consulting engineer with Mott MacDonald an employee-owned management, engineering and development consultancy serving the public and private sector around the world. “Do you work?” Milli Jam asked Abby. “No” she replied “I’m a lady of leisure in Johannesburg with a great social life and loads of friends, mainly because of work permit problems”. “That must be a a bit boring, wouldn’t you prefer to be working”? I chipped in. “Not in the slightest”! Was Abby’s instant reply which had us laughing.

Quite a lot of chat on the show was about rugby. Obviously we wanted to know from Craig, a former player with London Scottish, why New Zealand had never won the Rugby World Cup! Craig claimed that they had, in the 80’s, but Abby quickly scotched this idea by reminding him that South Africa didn’t feature then, so somehow it wasn’t a genuine victory! Nice one Abby!

Craig and Abby told listeners about their fascinating travels to both Cambodia and Rwanda earlier in the year with the Penguins Rugby Club, teaching rugby in these developing countries to disadvantaged youngsters. They’d been surprised at the amount of raw talent seen in both places. The Penguins is a ‘by invitation only’ club and you can read more about it by following the link above. What did surprise us was to hear that Abby had also been a rugby player when she was younger until injury forced an early retirement. We also had respect for Craig on learning that he’d recently completed the Paris Marathon in under 3.5 hours.

The music on the show was good, as usual. We got off to a flier with the Ghanain band R2Bees ft Wande Coal’s ‘Kiss Your Hand’ back to back with the awesome ‘Man Down’ from Rihanna’s latest smash album. George chose Petersen’s ‘Wanna Dance With You’ and Kelvin Mwesa’s ‘Wonderful Time’ for his two local tracks. Milli Jam chose Jamie Foxx with ‘Winner’ and Akon’s (imo horrible) ‘No Labels’. We also played ‘Many of Horror’ by Biffy Clyro to give listeners a feel for the UK Christmas No.1. I commented that our closing track Sean Kingston’s great ‘Party All Night’ (and sleep all day) was a good track for this time of year in Livingstone.

Craig and Abby told listeners about their one day safari to Chobe National Park in Botswana where they’d been lucky enough to see a pride of 8 lions – a record for our guests on that trip. This delightful couple had also enjoyed their helicopter flight over the Falls, as well as a sunset cruise and a morning river safari. Abby told listeners that on their last morning, the next day, she intended to bungee jump. (And she did!)

I took the chance to wish our listeners a belated Happy Christmas and a prosperous 2011, and also to thank the staff at the lodge for their extra-ordinary hard work during the holiday period. As we went on air the lodge was packed and for once the girls didn’t have too much chance to enjoy the show!

28
DEC

2011, accommodation, activities, Africa, Botswana, Customers, entertainment, music, radioshow, rsa, travel, victoriafalls, wildlife, zambezi, Zambia

Zambian Music Scene

George Da Soulchild, co-host of our remarkably successful radio programme The Chanters Lodge Experience with The Milli Jam Ingredient featuring George Da Soulchild (pictured above), writes a blog for us every week about the local music scene. Our radio show goes out for an hour every Sunday night at 20.30 hrs on Zambezi Radio 107.7 fm and features latest music worldwide, and chat. Guests are usually international and often resident at Chanters Lodge. Here’s George’s latest piece about Danny and Taonga.

Up And Coming Gospel Artist Taonga Gets Double ‘Born & Bred’ Nomination.
Being nominated for the Born & Bred music and video awards may be considered a great achievement for any young artist seeking recognition on the Zambian music scene. 21-year-old Taonga Nyirongo has been nominated not for one, but two awards this year. Firstly in the Best Gospel Video category for his song Chikondi which is popular on ZNBC TV2.

Taonga’s second nomination is for Best Promising Artist category, something which he says is an achievement knowing the fact that he is yet to succeed in the music industry. Taonga who also presents gospel show on Muvi TV says the music indutry is on the raise and the Goverment and the business society should invest as it does in other countries to ensure the growth of the Industry. Other nominees for Born and Bred include JK, Slap D, Alfa Romeo, Roberto, Brothahood Crew, Judy and Petersen just to mention a few.

Born n Bred Awards are set for the 16 of this month and will be aired live on Both ZNBC and ZNBC TV2 @20:30.

Danny Takes Album Launch To RSA
Danny Siulapwa aka Danny Kaya is set to take his ‘Live’ album launch to South Africa under the the auspices of DJ Tabs Entertainment. Danny,said his decision to go to South Africa for a show on December 15 was due to popular demand. So if you’re in South Africa on the 15th December, just make sure you attend the show.

And for that matter, if you’re in Livingstone on Sunday evening, make sure you don’t miss the Chanters Lodge Experience on 107.7 fm at 20.30 hours – you might even win a dinner for 2 at the fantastic Chanters Lodge!

10
DEC

Africa, awards, Chanters, entertainment, guests, music, People, radioshow, rsa, Zambia

Intercape – Jo’burg/Livingstone

This is encouraging from the Zambian Watchdog

South Africa’s biggest intercity passenger bus services will introduce its services to Zambia at the end of October, the Watchdog understands. Intercape currently services all towns in South Africa and most cities in Southern Africa. The introduction of Intercape services from Johannesburg to Lusaka and Livingstone is likely to bring excitement to passengers who have been subjected to poor services by Zambian operators.

Hundreds of cross-border traders travel from Lusaka to South Africa everyday but there have been complaints of poor services. South Africa is one Zambia’s biggest trade partners. Among the most frequent complaints from travellers has been overloading of luggage to the extent where luggage is packed inside the bus on the seats meant for passengers, over speeding, lack of toilets on board and lack of courtesy by bus crews. Passengers have also been complaining of being dumped in some dark corners called stations when they reach Johannesburg at night.

Though slightly more expensive than the current route operators, Intercape’s safety record and condition of the coaches are excellent.

Bring it on!

17
OCT

Africa, infrastructure, innovation, livingstone, rsa, transport, Zambia

3 Brothers Bed & Breakfast

We’re often asked for recommendations for somewhere to stay in Johannesburg. Well here’s one just 7 kms from OR Tambo International Airport. Small, safe and friendly it has been referred by one of our regular Guests:-

3 Brothers Bed and Breakfast offers you the choice of three beautiful and unique rooms with en-suite bathrooms, M-net, as well as complimentary tea/coffee in all the rooms.

Offering a delicious English breakfast every morning and dinner available on request. Come relax in our tranquil gardens, take a dip in our heated pool or enjoy our lapa and entertainment area.

10
OCT

accommodation, Africa, guests, hotels, rsa

George Soulchild – Guest Blog

George Soulchild, co-presenter of our weekly radio show The Chanters Lodge Experience with the Milli Jam Ingredient ft George Soulchild, gives us his regular look at the Zambian musical scene:

‘C.R.I.S.I.S’ TO PERFORM ALONG SIDE AKON IN ZIMBABWE
Zambian Hip Hop artist, CRISIS (aka Mr Swagger) is heading to Zimbabwe to perform alongside Akon and Sean Paul at the National Sports Stadium in Harare, along with other African artists who have been invited by Zimswag Entertainment, the organisers. The show will take place on September 4th and starts at 12:00 noon. The concert is all about uniting African artists in the region by encouraging them to work together as one, as the late Bob Marley and Tracy Chapman did back in the day.

CRISIS said he’ll go with JK (pictured above), another Zambian artist, with whom he’ll perform the song ‘One Day’ from his first album. He said that other songs he’ll perform are ‘Make The Crowd Go’ from his new album and ‘The Fire Inside’. CRISIS said that he’s excited to have the opportunity to perform alongside Akon and Sean Paul and hopes that they can do a collaboration in future. He said about 50,000 fans are expected to attend the show which is not only for Zimbabweans, but also people from other African countries.

He also said there’ll be an after party for all artists at Rainbow Towers in Harare. To ensure that many Akon fans travel to Zimbabwe for the live concert, the Zambian airline, Zambezi Airways will reduce the fare for those going to attend the concert, as they are one of the companies sponsoring the show. Tickets are going at $10 for kids, $15 for stadium ground, $25 for sitting, $50 VIP and Golden Circle $100.

JK’S SA LAUNCH
Sensational singer Jordan Katembula popularly knows as JK launched his ‘Akapilipili’ Album in South Africa. The album as become a hit on the Zambian music scene. The launch was on Saturday August 28, at Monte Casino in Johannesburg where JK was accompanied by two artistes, Indie K who recently released her ‘Chipuba Chandi’ album, and Afunika. JK’s South African fans were ready for the Zambian star and showed up in numbers to see him.

JK was also accompanied Bizzy Wizzy of Klub Vegas, one of the hottest clubs in Zambia, who displayed his skills during the show. JK is expected to tour Zambia to promote his album which has captured many of his local music lovers. Some of the songs that JK performed were ‘Ka Pillow’, ‘Concrete Mixer’, ‘Kanyimbo’, ‘Poison’ and many more. Other Zambian artistes that have recently been to South Africa for performances include Mampi, Dalisoul, K’Millian, Petersen and Ozzy who is currently promoting his ‘Kobili’ album,

JK recently released his single ‘Akapilipili’ song which features Salma Dodia another upcoming Zambian artist. The video for the ‘Akapilipili’ song is already being played on MTVBase and Channel O. This is JK’s fifth Album.

BRICK n LACE
Jamaican born, Canadian based RnB dancehall female duet Brick n Lace performed two Saturdays ago at Barclays Bank Sports Complex in Lusaka, Zambia for its local fans. Brick n Lace popularly known for ‘Love Is Wicked’ and ‘Never Never’ performed most of their new songs on stage and managed to entertain some of their Zambian fans. Most of the Zambian artistes who were invited to perform at the show were not allowed to mingle with their counterparts even though they performed on the same stage.

Mahogany Entertainments arranged two VIP lounges one for Brick n Lace with other foreign artistes while the Zambian artistes were made to occupy the other. The Zambian artistes were not in the slightest bit amused about this segregation! The security for the duo was very tight and the fans only managed to mingle with artistes on stage during their performance. The media personnel were also not given the privilege of interviewing the foreign artistes as they were not allowed access to the VIP lounge either, and although the show started late, the foreign artistes tried their best to entertain the fans.

The artistes that performed at the show were Jozi from South Africa and TR and TEF (a combination of a Zambian and Canadian duo). The local artistes were B Flow, P-Jay, Indie K, JK, Judy, Slap Dee, J-Bus, Cactus Agony, and CQ among others. It is the first time the duo Brick n Lace (Nyanda and Nailah Thoubourne) have visited and performed in Zambia to market their music. They came into the country under Mahogany Entertainments.”

Thanks George, great piece!

3
SEP

Africa, blog, Chanters, Lusaka, music, radioshow, rsa, Zambia

Congratulations Kennedy Mweene!

Kennedy Mweene, Zambia’s international goalkeeper, and long time friend of Chanters Lodge, has been appointed captain of Free State Stars the South African premier league outfit for whom he’s played for some time now. There’s a nice photo of Kennedy and friend on a visit to Chanters Lodge a while ago. Here’s the piece from timesZambiaPost.com

“South Africa based goalie Kennedy Mweene has been appointed team captain for Free State Stars football club following the retirement of Duncan Lechosa. In an interview from his South African Base, Mweene said the Zambia Vs Comoros Islands match on September 4, 2010 would be a “very dangerous” encounter and advised fellow national team players to approach the game with seriousness.

“We don’t know much about Comoros Islands so if we underrate them they will disappoint us, it is a very dangerous game and we have to be very careful,” he said. Mweene said he had had discussion with other national team players who had expressed a similar feeling towards the handling of the game.

Meanwhile the new Free State Stars skipper, said he was honoured with the appointment. “It’s a great feeling, you see when you are playing football you always have it in your mind that one day, time will come to be a leader,” Mweene said. He said the appointment was an indication that he had exhibited exemplary behavior and good altitude towards other players.

“This is an indication that my team mates appreciate what I have done both on the pitch and outside and so I am humbled to take on such responsibility. Free State Stars appointed the Zambian international Kennedy Mweene as their new captain after the retirement of Duncan “King” Lechesa.

Stars general manager Rantsi Mokoena confirmed Mweene’s appointment after a management committee meeting in Bethlehem on Tuesday.”

Congratulations Kennedy. All the best for a winning season and for your international career!

26
AUG

awards, Chanters, football, friends, rsa

Livingstone ‘International’ Airport

We’re happy that construction of a new terminal has started at Livingstone Airport as per the article below from Lusaka Times and have seen the evidence for ourselves. However, when the runway extension was completed at huge expense some years ago, we were promised direct flights from Europe, Asia and other African countries apart from South Africa and that has not happened. Let’s hope the new terminal isn’t another ‘white elephant’ and actually produces an increase in international flight connections, otherwise it will just be a waste of more money!

“Communications and Transport Minister Professor Geoffrey Lungwangwa has said that it is governments priority to ensure that all airports in the country are operational.

Speaking at the ground breaking ceremony for the construction of new international terminal building at Livingstone international airport estimated to cost about $12 million, Professor Lungwangwa said that it is for this reason that government is carrying out maintenance works in provincial airports to improve connectivity in the country.

Professor Lungwangwa noted that with massive investment witnessed in Livingstone especially in the hospitality industry the number of tourists flying into Livingstone has been on the upswing. And speaking at the same function Southern Province Minister Daniel Munkombwe said that one does not need to doubt that the Government under the leadership of Rupiah Banda is a working government.

He said that government through its sound economic policies is attracting a lot of investors and hence need to increase airport capacity. And at the same function National Airports Corporation Limited Managing Director Robinson Masitala said that the corporation has many challenges but that it will endeavor to provide efficient services to airline operators and the traveling public.

He said that the corporation is in the process of acquiring state of the art ground handling equipment to enhance service delivery capabilities at all the four international airports in the country.”

19
AUG

Africa, airlines, infrastructure, innovation, livingstone, rsa, tourism, transport, travel, victoriafalls, Zambia

Mbendi Information Services

I get a regular newsletter from Mbendi Information Services. I ‘liked this’ one:

“I really must stop reading the financial papers just before I go to bed. Because just lately two recurring nightmares have been disturbing my sleep.

In the first, I’m just an ordinary British bloke, feet up, lukewarm ale at hand, all ready to watch the politicos debating on telly when there’s a ring of the doorbell. There stands a smartly suited gent who announces “Six grand, please guv, to pay off your household’s share of the budget deficit!” I’m aghast. My lovely house is mortgaged to the hilt and I’ve just arranged an overdraft to pay for a trip with the lads to a mystery tournament in a very dangerous country (though not nearly as dangerous as Germany according to the UK government). As I write out the cheque, he pipes up again “Never worry, guv, I’ll be back for another twenty five grand in the next couple of years!”.

I wake in a sweat and have no sooner dropped off again than the second nightmare starts.

This time I’m a French housewife frying up aubergines with garlic for the family watching sport on the TV in the room next door (this is a French tradition aimed at bringing luck to the national team playing a sport where you shouldn’t touch the ball with your hands). Suddenly there is a knock at the window. Outside stands a woman smartly dressed in a raincoat and black beret. “Voulez-vous d’abord la bonne ou la mauvaise nouvelle ?” she demands (translation: “I vill say this only once – do you want to hear the good news or the bad news first?”). “La mauvaise” I mutter and she leans forward and confidentially reveals that my pension is to be halved so the government pension deficit will not balloon to Euro 40 billion by 2015. I gasp. “Et la bonne?” I croak. “The pension contributions of your children are to be tripled and their retirement age deferred to 85 so we don’t need to cut your pension ever again!”

I think my dreams must be deficient because I don’t dream the great American dream in which I find on my doorsteps not only the taxman and the pension madam, but also the local doctor, a Chinese banker and a dishevelled man with a gun, all with their hands outstretched. The US Congressional Budget Office projects that the cumulative US budget deficit alone could increase to US$ 9,700 billion by 2020 taking the federal debt to US$ 20,000 billion, 90% of GDP and more than US$ 100,000 per household. The discredited credit ratings agencies, headquartered as they are in the USA, seem unperturbed by this state of affairs which would lead to lesser nations receiving a major ratings downgrade under similar circumstances.

Now that I’m wide awake, I really must start saving in case a real demand arrives in my mailbox that I’m unable to meet. I must also put pressure on the various levels of government around me so they cut costs to the bone and don’t have to make demands at all. The only trouble is the officials and politicians might not take kindly to losing sleep worrying about their salaries being cut or maybe even losing their jobs – salary, pension, perks, prestige and all – just so us taxpayers can sleep easy knowing our governments have a zero deficit or, better still, surpluses all round. Oh, yes, and we’d like to have government continue to provide all the services they already do plus a whole lot more. Vastly improved government productivity is the only answer I can dream up to solve this conundrum!”

The picture? Cesc Fabregas – soon to be a Barcelona player

19
MAY

Arsenal, Economy, rsa

Stories From Travel Agents

Check these travel agent stories!

– A Client asked for an aisle seats so that her hair wouldn’t get messed up by being near the window.

– A client called in inquiring about a package to Hawaii. After going over all the cost info, she asked, “Would it be cheaper to fly to California and then take the train to Hawaii?”

– A woman called who wanted to go to Capetown. The agent started to explain the length of the flight and the passport information when she interrupted saying “I’m not trying to make you look stupid, but Capetown is in Massachusetts. The agent calmly explained, “Capecod is in Massachusetts, Capetown is in Africa.” Her response … click.

– A man called, furious about a Florida package. The agent asked what was wrong with the vacation in Orlando. He said he was expecting an ocean-view room. The agent tried to explain that this wasn’t possible, since Orlando is in the middle of the state. The Client replied, “Don’t lie to me. I looked on the map and Florida is a very thin state.”

– A man asked, “Is it possible to see England from Canada?” “No.” Replied the agent. The Client said “But they look so close on the map.”

– Another man called and asked if he could rent a car in Dallas. When the agent checked the booking he noticed the Client had only a 1-hour lay over in Dallas. When asked why he wanted to rent a car, the Client said, “I heard Dallas was a big airport, and I need a car to drive between the gates to save time.”

The photo? Capetown of course! Who could possible be confused….?

29
APR

rsa, tourism, travel, usa

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