By Winston Muleba JR
Ndola is among the five big cities in Zambia; It is apparently the cleanest town on the Copperbelt Province though others say Chingola district still is.
The 'friendly' city is the administrative capital of the Province.
According to history, the name Ndola was derived from a tributary of the Kafubu River known as 'Kandola'.
The city development was fast due to industrialization though, most of the industries have collapsed.
And every year, Ndola hosts an internationally recognized exhibition dubbed Zambia International Trade Fair, which is conducted in June/July. Exhibition from various countries all over the world are displayed during the trade fair period attracting more business and investors into the country.
The city is also blessed with plenty of natural resources and heritage sites that have been ignored and others not fully utilized as sources of revenue for the city.
Among other places and resources, the four places in Ndola with potential to generate decent revenue for the city include:
1. Itawa Springs
The Itawa Springs is a precious source of water that has been under threat due to land degradation and pollution caused by brick-making and unregulated effluent discharge.
This beautiful spring is an important tributary to the Kafubu River.
A large number of homes, many small-scale farmers and brick-makers depend on the Itawa Springs to meet their general domestic and economic needs, while indirect users
include companies or individuals within its catchment area, including those growing vegetables and crops along the Kafubu River.
2. Lake Chilengwa
The famously known as 'Chilengwa na Lesa' (created by God) is a National
Monument that has a natural scenic beauty and is located in Chief Chiwala's area of Ndola district. However, Town Planners says its located in Masaiti district.
This beautiful site is a sunken lake with steeply sloping sides with water level about 30 meters below the surrounding ground and is roughly circular with a diameter of some 450 meters. It was formed by the collapse of rock into an underlying limestone cavern
and has local cultural significance.
3. Mushili Hill View Quarry
The quarry is found in New Mushili township in the area now called Hill View. It came into being when laterite was being excavated from the area. The place looks deserted but could make a very beautiful pleasure resort.
4. Monkey Fountain Zoo
The zoo was founded by Zoological Society of Rhodesia sometime in the 1960s. It has lain on the picturesque place called Monkey Fountain of about 5 km from the city centre.
It became very popular and visited attraction site. Although the zoo was expanding, it was abolished in the early 21st
Century (probably for lucrative land and possibly due to the decline of copper prices on world markets). Plots were sold out for construction of residential properties. The animals were moved to Munda Wanga park and other breeding facilities not only in Zambia, but also abroad. Lions, tigers, monkeys, antelopes, ostriches, cranes, hornbills, peacocks, pheasants, turkeys, geese, ducks, pigeons, crocodiles, snakes.
The four places have so much potential to change the face of Ndola if well preserved and utilized.
___________________________
About the Author:
Winston Muleba Junior is a Researcher,
Citizen Journalist, Blogger, Scientist, Writer
and Disaster Management Practitioner who
uses media and ICT to promote science,
technology and innovation. He gravitates
towards environment: water, aquaculture,
land, climate change and agriculture as he is
skilled at juxtaposing the latest research and
expert opinion with the everyday lives and
struggles of people on the ground.
Email: mwenyamuleba@gmail.com
No comments:
Post a Comment