Zwangendaba monument to be built in Nakonde

From ALEX NJOVU in Kitwe
TWO companies in the tourism sector in Northern Province plan to build a monument of Ngoni leader Zwangendaba at his burial site in Nakonde district to promote tourism in the region.
The two companies are Northern Tourism & Tours and Kasama Zoo Village.
Project chairman Andrew Njovu said in an interview in Kitwe yesterday that the construction of the monument will help promote tourism in the northern circuit.
“The project will not only raise Zambia’s profile but also elevate Nakonde district in Muchinga Province to one of Zambia’s best tourism destinations. Many South Africans will want to come and visit the burial site of this great son of Africa,” Mr Njovu said.
He said Zwangendaba’s burial site has only been talked about in history books but that nothing has been done to promote it as a tourism and historical site.
“The burial site is 30kms from Nakonde central business district,” Mr Njovu said.
He said once completed, the project will give an opportunity to researchers and students of history to visit the burial site.
Mr Njovu said it is sad that very little tourism promotion has been done in the northern circuit.
“The problem is that while history has given due recognition to names such as Dr David Livingstone, Vow Lettow Vorbeck and many others by putting up monuments at their burial sites, Zwangendaba’s burial site still remains a sorry site. Zwangendaba is a big name in African history. This war warrior of rare qualities has only been talked about in history books,” Mr Njovu said.
He said the management of the Northern Tourism & Tours and Kasama Zoo Village is fully aware that the project can only be successful with the participation of relevant institutions and stakeholders.
Mr Njovu said the two companies and other key partners will make financial contributions to the project and also source external funding for the project.
He is confident that the project will benefit the communities of Nakonde through employment creation.
Mr Njovu said construction of the monument will include the upgrading of the road to the burial site, construction of a tourists’ shelter and adopting a nearby community school.
“Zwangendaba is a great name in African history and his burial site deserves the construction of a monument befitting such a great son of Africa. There is abundant evidence that Dr David Livingstone’s memorial site in Serenje is now a major tourist attraction. In the same vein, we want to elevate the Zwangendaba burial site to a level where it will be one of our tourism products in Zambia,” Mr Njovu said.
History has it that between the 17th and 18th century, Shaka Zulu differed with Zwangendaba over the administration and running of his Kingdom.
A group led by Zwangendaba tried to challenge him but was overpowered and fled into present-day Zambia. One of the big tribes Zwangendaba and his warriors fought with are the Bembas of Northern Province under Paramount Chief Chitimukulu.
Zwangendaba died of spear wounds.
Mr Njovu said the project is likely to be completed within 10 months and is expected to be commissioned before the 2013 United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) general assembly in Livingstone.