Lusaka – Chanters Lodge Livingstone

Shyman!

Meet Michelo Siavwapa (above, with an unnamed fan in the background) aka ‘Shyman Shaizo’, one of Livingstone Zambia’s hottest music stars and Guest on the most recent edition of the Chanters Lodge Experience with the Milli Jam Ingredient featuring George da Souldchild Kaufela – that’s our regular Sunday night radio show airing at 20.30 hrs CAT on Zambezi 107.7 fm, Livingstone’s leading local radio station, and streaming live on the internet here or here. Each week we give away a dinner for two at the lodge during the show to the first person to text us telling us who’s singing our oldie of the week – just imagine that no-one knew Chris de Burgh sang ‘Lady In Red’ – so the prize went begging on this particular show!

“Why are you called Shyman?” Asked Milli Jam at the top of the show “are you shy”? The man denied it, saying that the name had happened ‘out of the blue’ and that he had ‘never been shy’. The fan behind giggled….Shyman told listeners that he was a Livingstone lad and it was only in 2005 that he had shifted to Lusaka in order to further his musical career. In 2008 this had resulted in the production and release of his only album to date. It had been a big success and he was very much hoping that his second album would be forthcoming before too long. He gave praise to musician Petersen whom he said had been a tremendous help to him in furthering his musical aspirations.

We featured two of Shyman’s tracks on the show – ‘Salary’ and ‘Iwe Na 1ne’ – the latter with Petersen and Ben Blazer, and it is clear that the man has a lot of talent. George who recently produced and recorded some super new jingles for our show and who is campaigning said “Richard, did you hear that the first track was called ‘Salary’ and did you know he was singing about people getting paid more money?” My reply? “Thanks for the jingles George!” Recently Milli Jam had Ne-Yo’s ‘Let Me Love You Until You Learn To Love Yourself’ as his pick of the week and we were delighted to report that it had debuted at number one on the UK pop charts that very day, so we played it again and patted ourselves on the back! We also featured Enrique with Sammy Adams ‘Finally Found You’ and Flo-Rida’s ‘I Cry’. This week Milli’s pick of the week was Liquid Deep’s ‘Still’.

Shyman told listeners that he was ‘very single’ (the fan behind giggled again) but father of a baby girl aged 1 year 5 months. He said he had played shows as far away as Mozambique and South Africa but his biggest crowds were in Namibia where Zambian music is very popular. He did not like football but wished there was volleyball in Livingstone, which he enjoyed. He was very proud to be involved in an empowering project with other musicians to teach and educate orphans. He had his first break as a musician as a youngster when he played trumpet in a Salvation Army band. He said his father had been the one to encourage him in the musical field.

Asked where he would like to be and what he would like to be doing ten years from now, Shyman replied ‘In Livingstone, Zambia making it big in music’! No doubt!

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Africa, entertainment, livingstone, Lusaka, music, Namibia, radioshow, recording, Zambia

Hunting and things…

This piece from Times Of Zambia caught my eye. Why? Well someone on Facebook had posted a status indicating that this meeting held at Sandy’s Creations in Lusaka was a very lively affair (not his exact words!) Let’s hope there’s action on not just words!

Tourism and Arts Minister Sylvia Masebo (above) has directed the Zambia Wildlife Authority (ZAWA) to immediately open up a separate account for the Community Resource Boards (CRBs) where safari hunting operators will be depositing 50 per cent of the money for hunting in Game Management Areas (GMAs). And Ms Masebo has assured the CRBs that her ministry will ensure that they are paid the more than K1 billion ZAWA owes them.

Ms Masebo’s directive signifies that all the hunting proceeds from outfitters (safari hunting companies) will not be placed in one account, as has been the case. The Zambia Wildlife Authority (ZAWA) Act No. 12 of 1998 identifies CRBs as partners with ZAWA in wildlife conservation and that they should equally share the hunting licence proceeds. Ms Masebo’s instruction was arrived at following submissions made by various stakeholders in six groups, among them traditional leaders, who are the custodians of the GMA land, who proposed that safari outfitters should pay money directly to them and not through ZAWA.

“On the payment mode, we shall continue with the status quo (50-50 per cent), but will not go with business, as usual. ZAWA will open a separate account for the CRBs, but it will not have access to the account. That, we shall do with immediate effect,” she said. Ms Masebo observed that although there was a Statutory Instrument (SI) currently in place on the safari outfitters depositing the hunting proceeds in one account, Ms Masebo said that could be changed even “within seven days”.

The concession lease agreement period proved to be a contentious issue, prompting Ms Masebo to call for a voting process, resulting in those in support of the agreement going up to 10 years winning the process as they polled 77 votes, while those for five years, which included more than 15 chiefs present, got 66 votes.

The outcome prompted an unidentified chief to rise and ask Ms Masebo to issue a ministerial statement to resolve the matter, arguing that traditional leaders were owners of the land and thus should decide the duration of the lease agreement.

Ms Masebo in response said on such issues, Government was guided by the people, which was the case during the stakeholders’ meeting, adding that a consensus was a way of proceeding on the matter and assured the traditional leader that she would later offer her guidance on the matter.

Ms Masebo also warned of termination of lease agreements for those operators whose activities were found not to be benefitting the communities they operated in following an assessment process by the chiefs, CRBs and ZAWA after three years.

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Africa, facebook, Lusaka, wildlife, Zambia

The ‘Legendary’ Macky 2!

From Times Of Zambia

All roads led to the Barclays sports complex in Lusaka last Friday night where controversial rapper, Macky II (above) launched his album. Almost every artiste was at the complex to either watch or support the controversial rapper’s ‘Legendary’ album launch. The show which was initially scheduled to start at 18:00 hours picked up momentum after 22:00 hours and that slowness in attendance can be attributed to Friday being a working day and that people had to go home and prepare for the big show.

After 22:00 hours the security men at the gate had a tough time to control the crowd that flabbergasted them and it had to take several hours for the security to admit the revelers. Not even a free show for a Zambian artiste has attracted the crowd that Macky II attracted last Friday at least so far this year. The Zamtel Chalila powered show started with performances from artistes such as T Sean, Tiye P, Ama Blax, Hamoba, Ken One, Pilato, Chef, Petersen, CQ and Exile.

Despite the name that the supporting artists have made for themselves, the revelers were only interested in the man of the moment though Petersen managed to stir the audience with his Ma Offals and Makwebo Mu Church songs. After the curtain raising performances had finished around 01:00 hours on Saturday morning, the master of ceremonies, K Smash announced the coming of Macky II who stormed the stage while the lights were lit off to mark the grand stage entrance.

Clad in a bulky black jean, blue hood, a purple t-shirt and marching purple airforce one shoes with black sun glasses, the Kopala Swag pioneer went straight into churning his old tunes before embarking on the songs that are on his Legendary album. From 01:00 hours to around 04:00 hours, Macky II performed different songs including Nangu Banchinge with Exile, Mukulu with JK, Ndeloleshafye with Pilato, Seka Uponoke with Chef but the most hilarious moment of the night was when another controversial artist General Kanene joined him.

The embattled Kanene featured on Macky II’s Ndimupondo featuring all-stars song and Mwishina Lyenu but later got the microphone and temporary stole the show from Macky II. General Kanene performed a sample of P Squares Chop My Money amid laughter and excitement from the fans that seemed to have loved his performances and after performing two songs, his third track skipped and could not play but the fans called for his longer stay on the stage.

Macky II continued with his performance and performed Amaka yakwa Lesa and while in action he chased a skimpy dressed girl from the stage amid approval from the audience!

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Africa, banks, entertainment, Lusaka, music, Zambia

The Alpha Experience!

Abi Kajumba (above left) and Erin Winfield were the latest Guests at Chanters Lodge, Livingstone, Zambia, to get roped into appearing on our Sunday night radio show on Zambezi 107.7 fm, Livingstone’s leading local radio station. The show is called The Chanters Lodge Experience with the Milli Jam Ingredient featuring George da Soulchild Kaufela, and airs between 20.30 and 21.30 hrs every Sunday night – it streams live on the internet too!

Why ‘The Alpha Experience’, well Abi and Erin both work for Alpha. Erin told listeners that the Alpha course is a course which seeks to explore the basics of the Christian faith, described as “an opportunity to explore the meaning of life”. Alpha courses are currently being run in churches, homes, workplaces, prisons, universities and a wide variety of other locations. The course is being run around the world by all major Christian denominations. The girls were spending a few days in Livingstone before moving on to Lusaka to attend an Alpha training workshop at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross, being attended by delegates from more than nine other African countries. They were much looking forward to the experience.

Erin originally hails from Arkansas, USA but has lived in England for the past seven years, she’s married and her husband is training for the priesthood in the Anglican church in UK. Abi is still single, has a Ugandan dad and an English mum and has spent years of her life in both countries – she described her mum as ‘brave and adventurous’ – we got the impression on the show that these girls are too, as they described the activities they’d undertaken while they were in Livingstone! They’d walked out to Livingstone Island and jumped into the Devil’s Pool, right on the edge of Victoria Falls. They’d enjoyed a sunset cruise on the Zambezi, as well as undertaking a one day safari to Chobe National Park in Botswana. They’d also taken the flight of angels in a microlight over Victoria Falls! Brave and adventurous indeed!

The music on the show was right up to date as usual – we opened with Little Mix and ‘Wings’, back to back with Fazer’s ‘Killer’. George chose hot Zambian tracks from Roberto and JK, while Milli Jam chose songs from Taio Cruz, and up and coming R&B star Jeremy Greene. Our oldie of the week was from Beyonce and Jay Z, and the prize we give every week to the first person to text us telling us who’s singing our oldie was quickly snapped up by a certain Felistus. She won a dinner for two with drinks at Chanters Lodge! We closed with Cover Drive’s latest UK hit, ‘Explode’.

Erin told listeners that her musical taste leans towards acoustic jazz as well as more popular artists such as Jason Mraz and Mumford and Sons – in terms of sport she loves to swim. Abi favours pop and gospel music and loves to play tennis. Asked where they would like to be and what they would like to be doing ten years from now. Erin said she hoped to be living and working in an Anglican parish with her husband the priest, travelling and changing lives. Abi would like to be married with children, still involved with Alpha, as well as having become a successful author of novels for children – travelling on the royalties earned! We wished them the best of luck and thanked them for appearing on the show.

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activities, Africa, Botswana, Chanters, Chobe, education, entertainment, Lusaka, music, radioshow, religion, zambezi, Zambia

Motor Assembly Again In Zambia?

The motor assembly plant that once produced Fiats and Peugeots in Livingstone has lain idle since 1992, so I was interested too see this article in Times Of Zambia

Two local business entities have partnered to establish a motor assembly plant at a cost of US$1.3 billion that will see the creation of more than 8,000 jobs. And a representative of one of the entities has urged the Energy Regulation Board (ERB) to be proactive in its regulatory role and ensure that regulation does not divorce itself from business facilitation.

Roberto Sabbadin, president of the Petroleum Transporters Association of Zambia (PTAZ), said at the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Savenda Management Services and Savenda Africa Holdings Limited yesterday that the association was worried that a number of foreign trucks in Zambia dealing in the petroleum transportation sub-sector did not meet the minimum safety standards to move dangerous goods.

Mr Sabbadin wondered what role the ERB was playing in promoting safety in the sector. Savenda Group director, Clever Mpoha said at the same ceremony that his company and its partners had planned to establish a motor assembly plant for 4,000 trucks, representing $1.3 billion investment in addition to the assembly of Savenda Roller Packs (compactors).

Mr Mpoha said out of the 4,000 trucks, 700 had been committed to PTAZ. “This partnership collectively will create well over 8,000 jobs and we are established to manage this process very well because of the economic benefits,” he said.

And Mr Sabbadin said the entities would bring 700 units of brand new petroleum tankers into Zambia which would help improve the standards in the sector and also help in the fight for increased market share. He said the investment would as a result create more than 4,000 jobs which would represent an investment of $300 million. “These tankers will help up the standards in the sector and help us in our fight for increased market share.

“This investment will create more than 4,000 jobs and will represent an investment of $300 million,” he said. Mr Sabbadin said the entry of the trucks would enhance movement of petroleum products within the country and internationally. He called on the Government to deliberately provide special incentives for the special exercise, adding that “in the second place we want as an association to call upon ERB to be more proactive in their regulatory role and to ensure that regulation does not divorce itself from business facilitation. We believe as an association that ERB needs urgent reform.”

Mr Sabbadin said the association was committed to helping Zambia’s long-term vision by the year 2030.

The article does not say where the plant will be. The picture is an image of a Peugeot 504, similar to those that used to be assembled in Livingstone – I had one as a company car when I worked at Ridgeway Hotel. They were pretty basic, but like all Peugeots of that vintage, very strong. You could choose any colour as long as it was white – as I remember!

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AUG

Africa, development, entrepreneurship, innovation, livingstone, Lusaka, Ridgeway, Zambia

The Salvation Army March to The Experience!

We were delighted to welcome Ken Hawkins and daughter Emma (above) on to the Chanters Lodge Experience with the Milli Jam Ingredient featuring George da Soulchild Kaufela last Sunday night. ‘The Experience’ is our regular Sunday night radio show airing between 20.30 and 21.30 hrs on Zambezi 107.7 fm, Livingstone’s leading local radio station. Ken is the Principal of the Salvation Army Training College in Lusaka, a post he has held since February this year. He has been with the Salvation Army for some 20 years and the Army has been in Zambia for 90 years! Emma, and her brother Paul were on a visit to Zambia, Emma is special educational needs teacher back in South London, UK. Ken and his family were staying at Chanters Lodge for a short family holiday, wife Ann, mum Alice (84) as well as Paul were back at the lodge listening to the show. Given the Olympic Games in London and the final of Big Brother Africa in Johannesburg being broadcast at the same time as our show, our listener numbers were down. Shame!

Ken explained to our audience that the Salvation Army is a Christian church known for its thrift stores and charity work. It is an international movement that works in over 120 countries and has been described as a ‘Christian church with its sleeves rolled up!’ The Army is also known for its music and Ken said that he already knew of four Salvation Army bands in Lusaka which he described as being of ‘varying quality’. He and Emma are both musicians, Ken plays tuba and piano while Emma knows the cornet and horn. Ken said his musical preferences were jazz and orchestral, Emma that at the moment she just loved Carly Rae Jepsen! She’s not the only one….

Ken’s wife Ann is also a minister in the Salvation Army and teaches in Lusaka. Ken said that he and the family are very happy in Lusaka, loving the life style and the weather.

The music on our show was pretty far removed from gospel. We opened with the latest UK smash hits from Wiley and Example, followed with Zambian offerings from Petersen and Chilu Lemba. Petersen’s track ‘Ama Kwebo In Church’ George explained was saying that there are many things going on in church other than worship. I asked Ken for his opinion on these lyrics but he refused to be drawn! Milli Jam dropped tracks from R Kelly and Madonna. Our oldie of the week was Michael Jackson’s ‘Man In The Mirror’ – the weekly prize went unwon! My pick of the week was The Killers ‘Runaways’ and we closed with Example’s super ‘Say Nothing’.

Although Ken and Emma said they were not much interested in sport they had all the latest news from TeamGB’s sterling, or should I say golden, efforts in the London Olympics including the latest medals for Andy Murray and Jess Ennis! Ken admitted to watching Spurs in his youth but said these days it was very expensive to watch football in UK. The family had greatly enjoyed their one day safari to Chobe National Park in Botswana during their visit to Livingstone, as well as their trips to see the Falls.

Asked where they would like to be and what they would like to be doing in ten years’ time, Ken said he hoped to still be working in Zambia with his great team, Emma that she would like to be a trained minister in the Salvation Army, still able to visit her parents back in Zambia.

It’s interesting that the international Guests we have on our programme all love Zambia!
No big surprise there – great country, great people! Great show!

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activities, Africa, Botswana, charities, Chobe, entertainment, guests, livingstone, Lusaka, music, radioshow, religion, Zambia

Kaufela

You might have thought you’d seen the last of Kaufela in Ty2’s ‘Spotlight’ but just like a remix, he’s back! Kaufela, for the uninitiated is George Mukwita, otherwise known as Soulchild – talented co-presenter of our Sunday night radio show ‘The Chanters Lodge Experience’ on Zambezi 107.7 fm, is pictured above at a show in Chief Mukuni’s Village, just outside Livingstone.

George is back on on his latest song “Good Times” featuring Roberto on the hook. “Good Times” is the latest song from his forth coming long awaited debut album titled “Kaufela Music” and it’s his third collaboration with Roberto on the forthcoming CD. The song talks about taking time off work and other things that keep one busy, simply to spend some quality time with your significant other, it’s all about taking a holiday and breaking off everything to enjoy each others company. George’s significant other? At this stage there’s no news on that front!

Kaufela spins tales of life and love in a variety of Zambian languages including Lozi, Bemba and Nyanja as well as English. His unique voice resonates with vibes that will keep you hooked on; his delivery on every song is simply artistic. Some of the songs on which he shines include TY2’s ‘Spotlight’ and Brotherhood’s Team ‘If its Lovin’. His debut single ‘Smile’ featuring Roberto hit the airwaves two years ago announcing his arrival. Kaufela has also worked with Leo Muntu of Black Muntu fame, Ozzy, K’Millian, B-Flow, Masi, Scarlet, Petersen, Shyman, Cofi (South Africa, Durban) and Hamoba.

Kaufela also triples as a music producer and radio presenter in Zambia’s tourist capital city Livingstone. He began his professional career in 2003 and first received recognition when he was featured on a Leo Muntu track titled ‘Ntawi’. A couple of features from TY2 and Crystal Shaun then followed in 2006-2007, before he began to pursue his desire to write and record his own album.

We hope to see it finally released very soon!

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JUL

Africa, entertainment, livingstone, Lusaka, music, Zambia

God Is Watching!

I loved this from Anisha Chanda M B on Facebook about Zambian girls and their status updates on Facebook

You buy panties from salaula (second hand clothes) – you come to Facebook and write “I love Victoria Secrets”
….God is watching

You’re at home and you update your Facebook status “enjoying my time at Manda Hill (Lusaka’s major shopping mall)”
….God is watching you – in 3D!

Your mum sells stock fish and your dad changes money, you turn around and say your parents are into the Lusaka stock exchange!
….God is watching you

You’re a married woman with two children and yet on Facebook you claim to be single…
….Don’t forget God is watching….

You’re twenty one years old and dating a man of fifty four and your update says “can’t wait to see my baby!” ….God is watching you in high definition…Is that your baby or your daddy sure?…

You’re heading kumunzi (to the village) and stranded at the bus station and you update “flight delayed!
…”God is watching you!…

You’re drinking ‘Chibuku’ (local opaque beer) yet you update ‘Johnny Walker on the rocks’!
…God is watching you in HD!…

You buy Tuma Polo shirts from salaula and yet you update “ati my uncle from the UK bought me some Tuma laka Polo shirts…
…God is watching you….

So beware ladies! God is definitely watching you!

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MAY

Africa, Lusaka, Zambia

Precision Air

This via Seb at Travel Comments

Tanzania’s largest airline Precision Air has announced the start of its operations to Lubumbashi (DR Congo) and through to Lusaka (Zambia) effective 18 May 2012.

The airline will fly the new route using its newly leased Boeing 737-300. Flights will depart Dar Es Salaam at 10:30 AM on Wednesday, Friday and Sunday. The flight duration is 2hrs. Precision Air also announced plans to commence flight to Angola later in the year as the projected growth takes root with more frequencies and more destinations.

Precision Air currently operates scheduled air services between Dar Es Salaam and 16 destinations in Tanzania, Uganda, South Africa, Comores, Zimbabwe and Malawi. The airline’s main base is Julius Nyerere International Airport, Dar es Salaam with hubs at Kilimanjaro International Airport and Mwanza Airport.

That’s nice – but it’s a pity there are no direct flights between Dar and Livingstone – that would be ‘precision’!

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APR

Africa, airlines, DRC, livingstone, Lusaka, Tanzania, tourism, travel

Franciar

This from George da Soulchild Kaufela, co-presenter of our weekly radio show, The Chanters Lodge Experience, via information from Times of Zambia.

Born Francisca Margaret Msisha on January 11,1992 in Kabwe, Zambia. Franciar (above) started singing at an early stage of her life at her local church in Lusaka. She did her primary education at Harry Mwaanga Elementary School, her Middle School at Pamodzi Girls High School in Mufulira, later graduating high school in 2008 from Matero Girls High School. After that she went to NIPA College in 2010 and began her first year Business Administration.

As a youngster she sung in the choir with her sister Rose and each time she sung, the crowd always had something to say about her sweet voice. In her early teens she competed in local talent shows and beauty pageants and won many of the events, impressing her audience with her natural singing and dancing abilities. Teaming up with her long time friend and producer J.O.B, Franciar started recording underground music as her sisters stood in as her manager. She finally got a recording deal when one of her sisters took her demo to Ben Blazer, who immediately signed her onto his label under Blazer Studios. She then started rising in the music industry gaining momentum with her hit record “Umutokofyompo”.

While enjoying her rise to in the music industry, Franciar continued to pursue her higher education and used the opportunity to write as well as to make more records which have recently been released. During a silent streak, Franciar did voluntary work as a facilitator for Youth Alive Zambia and worked with various artists who included her producer/fellow artist J.O.B. on his song “Puunkuutopwa”, her brother Flexville Marley on his hit song “Tonight” and she is currently working with Bobby East on one of his records. She also had the opportunity of working with one of Zambia’s top hip hop group “Zone Fam” on their record “Walking On The Moon”. She then featured Zone Fam’s group members J Rox and Verbal Assassin on her record “Dymandi”.

Franciar, who is considered or called the “Boss Lady or Madame Officer” at Blazer Studios is the only female on the label, hence the name. She has featured on a number of other songs in a compilation that is called “Blazer Compilation” featuring all the artists signed to the label. Franciar featured on yet another top Zambian artist Petersen Zaggaze’s record which was called “Till the Morning” and “Kokondodo” which was done by Dj Cosmo, who is one of Zambia’s top radio DJ’s.

Franciar is the last born daughter coming from a family of 8 children with 4 brothers and 4 sisters and she is considered the baby of the family. Franciar’s father passed away when she was only 1 year old so she was raised by her mother and siblings. Her musical career was inspired by the support she received from her family and friends, not forgetting her late father who loved singing. As an artist, Franciar still takes pride in, and time to go back to, her local church and sing there on special occasions – it will always be home for her!

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APR

Africa, entertainment, Lusaka, music, Zambia

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