Chinyunyu hot spring: Hive of activity over weekends

DOREEN NAWA, Rufunsa
DALITSO Ngoma, 29, lives near the Chinyunyu hot spring, a spot that becomes alive every weekend as people from all walks of life flock there in numbers.
The people may have a number of reasons but one of them is to gain from the health benefits the hot water from the springs is said to offer.
“I have been here from birth. Earlier, the hot spring was only frequented by us the indigenous people to bath. Now the number of people coming to visit the hot springs keeps increasing especially during weekends.
Among the activities visitors do is to soak their feet in hot water.
It is said the mineral-rich water offer health benefits.
Though Mr Ngoma is not sure how the benefits come about, he says he has experienced it.
Due to the apparent health benefits, some visitors, according to Mr Ngoma, collect the hot water from the springs which are located in Rufunsa district about 80 kilometers from Lusaka.
The hot spring is also a tourist attraction under the National Heritage Conservation Commission (NHCC).
Experts say hot spring water has been used for thousands of years and it is widely accepted in natural treatment options for various common ailments.
The hot spring water is said to relieve pain, stress and skin woes, among others.
And Gerald Chabu, a resident of Lusaka’s Chelstone Township believes in the healing properties of the hot water.
“I remember a year ago, I had some rheumatism problem on my back I took various pain killers and there was no change. I went to the hot spring on a Saturday and bathed there and I had some relief. With time, the pain was gone completely,” Mr Chabu says.
Mr Chabu believes that if one suffers from chronic muscle pain like arthritis or any form of rheumatism, soaking in a pool of hot-spring water can relieve pain.
Additionally, Mr Chabu said when his body was submerged in hot-spring water, the buoyancy encouraged a freer movement by naturally supporting his joints.
And 91- year- old Albert Sakala who relocated to the hot spring area in 1972 says living closer to the hot spring has been beneficial because the water is used for various ailments.
“Stress relief does not have to come in the form of a pill. Excess stress can be remedied naturally by immersing your body in a hot-spring water bath. I have been doing this since I came here and I have no regrets”, he says.
From his experience, Mr Sakala is confident that the minerals in the water contribute to the healing process, while heat relaxes tense muscles.
He says improved sleep can be an added benefit.
From a distance of 10 metres away, the water from the hot emits a scent of Sulphur.
And NHCC public relations manager Isaac Kanguya says from his experience, the water can heal skin rash.
“We are actually about to start charging for collecting water from the hot springs because it has become a norm for people to get water from the hot spring for various usage. Scientifically, this water has a lot health benefits,” Mr Kanguya says.
Mr Kanguya says the natural hot spring water contains a variety of minerals, including calcium and sodium bicarbonate.
And a therapist, Ahmed Suresh, says when one has a bath in a hot spring, their skin soaks in these minerals and their hydrostatic pressure rises.
“As this process continues, from circulation and oxygen flow increases much like when you exercise. An oxygenated circulatory system is beneficial in keeping not only your heart, but your body’s other vital organs and tissues healthy and strong,” Mr Suresh says.
Mr Suresh says when applied directly to the skin, mineral-rich hot-spring water can help to naturally relieve certain skin conditions.
“The high silica content found in hot springs can smoothen and soften dry, rough skin. Similarly, the medicinal properties of the water’s sulfur content can relieve uncomfortable eczema and psoriasis symptoms,” he says.
But NHCC regional director of the East Central Region Kagosi Mwamulowe says research on the Chinyunyu hot spring is on-going.
“There is no finalised research conducted, but depending on the mineral composition, the water from the hot spring is beneficial. But one thing is for sure, the water is not good for drinking, it causes the rusting of teeth, because of teeth calcium which reacts to Sulphur, the mineral in that water,” Mr Mwamulowe says.
He defines a hot spring as an emission of hot water produced by the emergence of geothermally heated groundwater that rises from the earth’s crust.
There are geothermal hot springs in many locations all over the the world. While some of these springs contain water that is a safe temperature for bathing, others are so hot that immersion can result in injury or death.
Hot springs in Zambia are formed due to a reef failure formation and not from a failed volcano,” he says.
He says hot springs in Zambia are common in valleys like Luangwa and Luano adding that the Chinyunyu hot springs lie in the Luano Valley. PUBLISHED IN THE ZAMBIA DAILY MAIL ON MARCH 18, 2018. LINK: https://www.daily-mail.co.zm/chinyunyu-hot-spring-hive-of-activity-over-weekends/

Chipope making it big in construction

SUNDAY PROFILE with DOREEN NAWA
Lusaka
FOR many, the construction industry is a preserve of the ‘big’ but Emmanuel Mutale Chipope, 30, had the courage to venture into it at the age of 26.
His quest to be his own boss brought about this.
During his childhood, whenever he was asked what he wanted to be, Mr Chipope would go for director.
While his siblings and cousins would aim for doctor, engineer or such professions, he would confound even his father whenever he said he wanted to be a director.
Later an opportunity presented itself before him when his friend asked him to partner and have 50 percent shares in a construction company.
In 2014, Mr Chipope met a friend who had registered a company but the company was dormant for over a year until the partnership was sealed, giving birth to a construction company.
But because of his passion and desire for construction, Mr Chipope asked his friend to avail 50 percent shares to his company and that was the start of a second construction company in 2014 which he co owns with his wife.
In all his contracts, he has worked with 32 people, all youths.
Mr Chipope says as a youth, being in the construction industry that is deemed for people with big investment profiles, it is not easy.
“As a youth in this industry, you have no choice but to bid with bigger companies and it is only courage and faith that has made us reach this far,” Mr Chipope says.
So far so good for Mr Chipope because his company now can compete and win tenders.
His company can boast of projects like the construction of the drainages along Great East road from Chelstone junction to the Airport roundabout on both sides as subcontractors under Steffanuti Stocks Zambia.
Other works include the installation of culverts on the Bottom road in Sinazongwe as subcontractors under Asphalt Roads Zambia and the construction of Oscar Flats in Kitwe’s Nkana East.
Other works are the construction of concrete bases for culverts at the new headquarters for National Milling in Lilayi in Lusaka and the paving works on roads in Lusaka, Copperbelt, Mpika and Chipata.
Before venturing into his own construction company, at 19 years old, Mr Chipope also had an opportunity to work for various institutions, among them the Winners Chapel International where he was an assistant accountant from 2007-2008.
He also worked as finance manager of the Northern health education program from 2008 – 2009 and Kasama Municipal Council in accounts revenue department from 2009 – 2010.
Other companies are Austafrica , Chumene Investment and Kaona construction company.
He has been inspired by his late father, Mr Sebastian Chipope, whom he said was a fighter for his family.
Another inspirer is Pastor Choolwe Mudenda Choolwe of the Gospel Envoys Church who has offered him spiritual guidance and advice on business matters.
Others include Brian Bwalya Stoute of One Investments, Pastor Chris, Bishop Oyedepo, Dr Strive Masiwa of Zimbabwe, Mr Kaona Martin, Huddy Mwamba his partner and his wife, Melissa Malama Chipope
Being a youth, Mr Chipope believes that youths in Zambia can succeed in their business or dreams despite the harsh conditions they may encounter.
He believes in pursuing his dreams and being focused
“My personal statement has always been, ‘Believe in your dreams and work towards it. Remember with God all things are possible,” he says.
Born in Kasama 30 years ago, Mr Chipope is the first, in a family of eight.
He did his secondary education at Kasama Boys from grade eight to10 and, later moved to Leif Private Secondary School where he completed in 2004 amid financial difficulties.
“It was rough. My father could not afford to pay school fees. I remember only learning half a term of grade 11 and my dad had to sell his house to find money for my school,” Mr Chipope says.
This affected his grade 12 results but he had to proceed to college level, thanks to his father’s friend who offered to pay for him.
Mr Chipope did Accounting Technician Diploma at Zambia Centre For Accountancy Studies (ZCAS)2005 - 2007
Currently, Mr Chipope is pursuing a Diploma in Construction Management at the Zambia College of the Built-in Environment.
Despite these challenges, Mr Chipope became chief executive officer of a company at 25 years became and now at 30 he has specialised in three companies all focusing on construction.
“There is no elevator to success. We use stairs. Many youths avoid stairs hence the laziness. Whatever has been happening to me, it is by God’s grace and without God the builder builds in vain,” Mr Chipope says. PUBLISHED IN THE ZAMBIA DAILY MAIL ON MARCH 18, 2018. LINK: https://www.daily-mail.co.zm/chipope-making-it-big-in-construction/

Farmworkers complain of poor accommodation

SOME Farmworkers houses in Lusaka West

DOREEN NAWA, Lusaka
SUBSTANDARD housing is a common feature for farm workers.
Not only do many workers live in crowded and unsanitary conditions, but they often lack basic amenities.
Furthermore, they live in isolated areas far away from important services like health facilities, grocery stores, and public transportation.
Mr James Kabungo left Mumbwa in search of work. He found a job as a farm worker in Lusaka West.
Mr Kabungo says because of the fear of remaining unemployed, he has had to accept whatever accommodation is provided by his employer.
“The housing conditions here are pathetic, but I have no choice. I just have to live in what has been provided by my employer,” Mr Kabungo says.
There are different types of housing that farm workers live in, varying widely based on geographic location, the size of the farms as well as their position at work.
“The housing units that are here differ according to one’s position. We have one-room, two-room and three-room houses here. The housing units are not in a good state,” Mr Kabungo says.
For Mr Kabungo, on top of accommodation challenges, he also has to grapple with the lack of protective wear.
He often gets onto the field without gumboots or any other protective wear.
“I understand that my safety is paramount but I cannot afford to buy safety boots from my salary. I get between K900 and K1200. My salary fluctuates because I sometimes get salary advances,” Mr Kabungo says.
Currently, there seems to be no support from various trade unions on the welfare of farm workers countrywide.
Given the close relationship between housing and health, it is impractical to address the health needs of farmworkers without addressing their housing needs.
Another farm worker in Lusaka’s Nine Miles area, Best Chirwa says poor housing can be a significant source of stress for farmworkers.
“We depend on our employers for housing because most of us come from far places like rural parts of the country. We have no one to speak for us. We cannot ask our supervisors to push for better housing for us because we are scared of losing jobs,” Mr Chirwa says.
Zambia National Farmers Union (ZNFU) public relations manager Calvin Kaleyi says most farm owners in Zambia provide accommodation for employees that choose to live on the farm.
“This accommodation may not be flashy and expensive, but it is accommodation that is habitable. It is housing that meets health and safety standards. One such place is Golden Valley in Chisamba, the workers at that farm have decent accommodation,” Mr Kaleyi says.
But Sustainble Innovations Africa (SIA) Executive Director Wesley Wakun’uma says most commercial farmers in Zambia do not provide decent accommodation for the workers.
Mr Wakun’uma says the lack of better housing for farmworkers has resulted in increased public health risks and health disparities.
He says living conditions for farm workers mainly in commercial farms in Zambia are a prerequisite to their output on the farms.
The importance of safe and accessible housing for farm workers cannot be doubted.
As a matter of human decency and because of the importance of economic protection for the agricultural sector, better housing seems to out-weigh all.
While the availability and affordability of housing for farm workers varies from one farm to another, it still remains a challenge.
Zambia Farm Employers’ Association (ZFEA) chairperson Richard Denly says it is not a rule for farm owners to provide accommodation for their workers but it is something that is agreed upon between the employer and the employee.
“The provision of housing for farm workers is something that is agreed upon by the employer and the employee. As an association, we have 245 paid up members (commercial farmers) and we have a collective agreement that takes care of workers’ conditions of service,” Mr Denly says.
Mr Denly says that for a farmer to invest in housing for unskilled workers, it has to earn a better return than investing in technology that can do the same work as the workers.
According to the collective agreement which runs for three years from 2015-2018, if an employer does not provide housing, a monthly housing allowance is paid to the employee on percentage basis depending on whether the employee is permanent, contractual or seasonal.
Casual employees are not entitled to housing allowance. Where wages are calculated by reference to a period of less than one month, housing allowance will be paid on a pro-rata basis, according to the agreement read in parts.
As investment in Zambia’s agriculture sector continues to grow, the supply of housing for those who work on the farms has outstripped the demand.
If agriculture is to survive, then it should have farm workers and those workers need decent and affordable housing.
The need for better housing for farm workers in Zambia is a matter of economic common sense because decent housing motivates a worker, leading to increased productivity.
PUBLISHED IN THE ZAMBIA DAILY MAIL ON MARCH 11, 2018. LINK: https://www.daily-mail.co.zm/farmworkers-complain-of-poor-accommodation/