CONTENTS | ANB-BIA HOMEPAGE | WEEKLY NEWS
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Zambia |
ECONOMY
African
countries which were fortunate enough to lie
in the path of the 21 June 2001 solar eclipse, did their best to «market» the
event.
Zambia was no exception. But how did this effect the local residents?
The author explains
Darkness covered Chavuma-Zambezi, Kapompo, Mushi Kafue, Kasempa, Mumbwa, Kafue town, Chibombo and Chisamba. Chickens retired to bed early; birds returned to their nests; dogs started barking. It was Solar Eclipse Day — 21 June 2001 — and to all intents and purposes, a remarkable day.
The total eclipse lasted for only three minutes in Lusaka and one minute in Chavuma-Zambezi. As the moon completely covered the sun, the stars appeared. Motorists hooted and honked with their headlights on.
More than 20,000 tourists thronged the country to view the eclipse. They followed the eclipse path which started in Zambia at 12.45 in Chavuma-Zambezi, passing through Kasempa, Kitwe-Copperbelt, Chisamba-Kabwe. Lusaka experienced the total eclipse from 15.09.
In the eclipse zones, some Zambians viewed the event with solar glasses. The excitement of this historical natural wonder, generated a rush for solar glasses, especially in the eclipse zone towns. But very few people managed to acquire them — they were either unavailable or far too expensive.
The Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation carried live coverage of the happening and also held a phone-in programme. The Government declared 21 June a public holiday. In Luangwa, a play was performed depicting the Ingoni tribe crossing the Zambezi River. Thousands of people watched the play. In Chisamba, an international band performed the whole day — people were dancing and singing.
The solar glasses’ business...
Zambia was the only African country which did not distribute solar glasses free-of-charge. According to Tourism Minister, Macheal Mabenge, about Kwacha 800 million was spent promoting and marketing the event. The Zambia National Tourist Board (ZNTB) sold what solar glasses were available, at K2,500 a pair. Specially imprinted T-shirts sold for K20,000.
On «D-Day», the price of solar glasses shot up to K15,000 a pair at various selling points throughout the country.
While the final total of proceeds has not yet been computed, the Tourism Minister says Zambia expects to have earned about US $15 million. All lodges and hotels were fully booked over the solar eclipse period. Indeed, some local and foreign tourists had to camp along the road to the international airport, in the airport grounds and outside designated viewing sites.
But as far as the ordinary Zambian citizen was concerned, health awareness campaigns were not effective because people did not have enough health information on how to protect their eyes from the ultra violet rays and the infra-red rays.
Also, availability of solar glasses was limited, and indeed, some people expressed complete ignorance about the importance of protecting their eyes with these special solar glasses.
The fact is, nobody seems to know the real impact the solar eclipse has had on people — not even the ZNTB which had the job of organising events surrounding the eclipse!
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PeaceLink 2001 - Reproduction authorised, with usual acknowledgement