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COMING UP!! – sugar cane,
maize, soya …. Mangos, pumpkins et al!! Thanks to the brilliant
rain that has fallen steadily since the end of the cane harvest. It
came in the nick of time as on around November 21, the
Kafue River (on which many agricultural operations in Mazabuka rely
for their water requirements, particularly Zambia Sugar plc) levels
had dropped to a low of masl (metres above sea level) of 974.950.
This equates to a drop in the water level of approximately 2.5m
since February this year!! The minimum operating level for the pumps
installed at the Nakambala Kafue River Station is masl 974.75.
The recent rainfall here in Maz, coupled with an increase in the
water discharged from Iteshiteshi Dam, has resulted in a rise in the
Kafue River water level to masl 975.150 (early December), an
increase of 200 mm. It is expected that due to a further increase in
the discharge from Iteshiteshi, the Kafue River level will continue
to rise. We’re all hoping for steady rainfall in the Kafue basin
catchment area to revive the Kafue River to its normal average level
of masl 977.250.
Thought has finally gone into repairing some of the more ghastly
roads in Maz and although this seems to be a fairly ponderously
organised project, at least something is finally being done about
them!
CHURCH INVOLVEMENT IN THE HIV AIDS PANDEMIC
Mazabuka is very much an educational centre in the Southern Province
with well over 40 schools ranging from pre-school to tertiary
level. For a town of its size, it also has a great variety churches
and this year many of them made a huge effort to get involved with
HIV Aids sensitisation programmes. One in particular, the United
Church of Zambia, has dedicated a Sunday in each quarter of the year
to HIV Aids prevention and care and support of the sick. On the
Sunday after World Aids day this year, together with People Living
Positively and Ndekeleni Development Foundation’s Home Based Care
volunteers, the church got together and marched to the HIV Aids
clinic at Mazabuka Hospital where they donated a supply of much
needed equipment to the clinic.
MAZABUKA’S TUKALE EXECUTIVE GUEST HOUSE
The “new kid on the block”, Tukale is situated just off the Lusaka
road, close to the golf club and within easy walking distance of the
shops and the bank. It is probably one of the most luxurious Guest
Houses to have shot up in Maz over the last few years, what with a
swimming pool, outdoor bar and braai area, a conference centre, DSTV
and telephones in all of the ten en-suite double bedrooms. Bed and
breakfast (continental) rates are very reasonable, ranging from
K140,000 to K200,000 per room. Dinner and lunch are also available.
Telephone them on 03 230-014; 097 779-078; 097 720-995; 097
669-585 to book.
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January
2006