amazingvictoriafalls.com: Tourism in Victoria Falls and Zimbabwe Development News

amazingvictoriafalls.com: Tourism in Victoria Falls and Zimbabwe Development News

ZIMBABWE could stage an economic recovery within two years and a best case scenario could see it “back as one of the most successful countries in Africa” within 10 years. This is the view of Xan Smiley, the Africa editor of The Economist, speaking at a summit in Johannesburg yesterday on the future of Zimbabwe, hosted by the magazine.

Smiley said there had been considerable progress over the past 18 months especially in light of where the country had been in March 2008. Smiley said the “mood has changed” in the country. “In Harare (pictured)there is a palpable sense of vibrancy (but) the mood is very mixed,” he said.

He said levels of violence were “considerably down”, compared with two years ago. Among the improvements he identified, following the dollarisation and “randisation” of the economy, were that inflation had fallen to single digits.

He said: “People are being paid, there is a sense of certainty, goods are available, and there is decent food for those who can afford it.” And he said the agricultural sector was starting to recover.

Int'l Film Fest in Harare Awards Iranian Actress

Int'l Film Fest in Harare Awards Iranian Actress

The Iranian actress won the event's Best Actress Award for her role in the film directed by Rasoul Sadr Ameli.

The 90-minute film, which has already received 6 international awards, recounts the story of a couple who travel to the Iranian city of Mashhad to visit the shrine of the eighth Shiite Imam when the wife's fatal illness worsens.

The non-profit, non-political Zimbabwe International Film Festival is a ten-day annual event that showcases feature-lengths, short films, and documentaries from across the globe as well as hosting workshops and cultural events. This year it was held from August 27 to September 5.

Other Iranian films including 'Token' by Fereydoun Hasanpour, 'Tehran Has No More Pomegranates' by Massoud Bakhshi, and 'Granaz' by Abbas Rafei were also screened during the event.

St. Mary's New and Noteworthy: Adult Forum at St. Mary's on Zimbabwe Art - October 24

St. Mary's New and Noteworthy: Adult Forum at St. Mary's on Zimbabwe Art - October 24

Please join on Sunday, October 24 after the 10:00 a.m. service for an Adult Forum and exhibit followed by a sale of beautiful and affordable folk art from Zimbabwe. The exhibit and sale will be open to the public from 12:00 p.m. until 4: 00p.m. Rural Women (and a few men) from Eastern Zimbabwe tell the stories of their lives with colorful paint and fabric.

The art is being brought to Saint Mary’s by Zimbabwe Artists Project (ZAP), a small nonprofit organization with a long-term commitment to the artists and their community. For ZAP, this art is a basis for making human connections across boundaries of culture and privilege. Every piece of art comes with a story hand-written by the artist. Dick Adams, founder of ZAP, will be coming from Portland, Oregon to introduce the exhibit and talk about art, the artists, and the innovative project which assists the artists in supporting themselves. Dick’s presentation will include a focus on working with HIV/AIDS in this rural Zimbabwean community. Please invite all art-loving friends to join us for this unusual, outstanding, and exciting opportunity to experience the folk art of Weya, Zimbabwe.

3 Things to Know when coming to Harare.

1. Money – Zimbabwe uses multiple currencies the most common being the US Dollar. Other common currencies which are used are the Pound, Euro and Rand.You can change your currency easily at international rates at banks.

2. Accommodation. All the 5 star hotels are in the CBD. Make sure you find the best Hotel to suite your pocket. Harare has something for everyone. You will find a place that suites your pocket. You just have to look around a little.

3. Transportation. If your travel operator does not provide a shuttle service for you, you can get a Taxi from the airport, bus station or train station. Just make sure you have number 1 & 2 sorted so first.

Making Friends in High Places - Harare, Zimbabwe - Travel Blog

Making Friends in High Places - Harare, Zimbabwe - Travel Blog

As usual, much has transpired since my last entry. I've recovered fully from my food poisoning, thankfully, and spent some quality time in the Bvumba Mountains enjoying the scenery, which is amazing. It is truly a beautiful part of the world that should be visited! I was worried about finding a place to stay there on the cheap as the one lodge listed in LP burned down three years ago (so much for being recently updated!), but the guesthouse in Mutare gave me the number for the Hivu Nursery/Hycroft which promised to have backpacker lodging. I called and talked to Sally who runs the place. She was heading into town that day and agreed to pick me up, so finally some luck went my way! Sally arrived on schedule and we ran some errands in town and she bought me some lunch. We then made our way up into the Bvumba Mountains, which is about 28K from Mutare. I was in awe! After living in a flat, desert for months, I was so excited to see the rolling, green mountains.

When we arrived at Hycroft, my mouth dropped. The house was situated overlooking the mountains with lots of pretty flowers, vegetation and horses. Sally used to live there with her family. I was the only guest there for three nights, enjoying quiet nights by a fire reading. I had an adorable little room upstairs and hot shower. I couldn't believe my luck - all for $10/night! That afternoon I read on the swing overlooking the valley and the next day I went out with Sally to go horseback riding. Sally has done a lot of backpacking herself in Australia, NZ and India, so we swapped stories on the ride. After that she gave me a lift down to Tony's Coffee Shop for a very decadent cake and real coffee! The owner sat with me and drank tea while we talked a lot about life changes and finding our true calling. He was an architect in Cape Town for years until he had an epiphany that lead him to quit and move to the Bvumba and open his shop, no regrets and no looking back. He was about my age when this happened, so I told him I've been waiting for my epiphany with no such luck.

From there I walked back up to Hycroft for the night, taking in the fresh air and beautiful scenery. It was so serene. I was reminded of walking near my grandmother's farm near sunset and collecting wild flowers. It really was a romantic place that would have been nice to share with someone, but I really enjoyed (and needed) the time to myself, although admittedly the first night was a bit creepy what with all the noises an old house makes at night. I did worry about things turning the way of "The Shining" if I stayed too long in this mountain retreat alone, but Sally indicated she was heading to Harare that Saturday and offered me a lift, so I was not about to stay too long.

My last day there I planned to get up leisurely and then stroll throug the botanical gardens nearby, but most plans in Africa get changed, and that morning I was awoken at 7:30 a.m. to someone rumbling up the stairs and calling my name. It turned out to be a fella I met at the Legion who had offerd me lodging at his house in town for free. I had to turn it down given I was stuck in bed, but he had hunted me down up in the mountains. It was a little early for visitors, but as I wiped the sleep from my eyes in my PJs, I basically realized he wanted some company. He invited me to breakfast at the Leopard Rock Hotel nearby, which is this fancy place visited by Queen Victoria and a host of others. It was a beautiful hotel, and in fact, a former castle as you could see remnants of it in parts of the building. After breakfast, my friend asked me to play slots in the hotel casino on his dime, so off we went. My $20 actually lasted for some time, until about 11:30 I realized I best get going to see the gardens. My friend was hesistant to bid me farewell and asked me to join him for one drink at the hotel bar. Somehow time got the best of us and soon it was four o'clock and I needed to talk to Sally about leaving for Harare before five! So much for the gardens.

I got back to Hycroft and had a bite to eat and then bed early as Sally's hubby Stu was picking me up at 7 a.m. Bvumba means drizzle, and the next morning I could see why. The fog and mist that moves in made it hard to see, and I was sad I would have to leave without a last glimpse of the beautiful mountains. Stu pulled up and off we went for the drive to Harare. Both Sally and Stu love to golf and they were headed to Harare to meet up with friends and do just that. Sally ended up leaving the night before, so I got a comfy ride in the front seat with Stu as we set off for the capital city. He invited me to visit the golf club before dropping me off at the one backpacker place in Harare, and there I met his friends who he and Sally planned to stay with. I was soon invited to stay with them as well at their home outside the city and I could not refuse such a generous offer. They are a wonderful couple, so welcoming and genuine. That night all of them went to the Canadian ambassador's house for dinner while I stayed back with a troupe of girls. They reminded me so much of my sisters.

Yesterday everyone had plans for church and golf, so Stu invited me to join him on the golf course for the day. The course if lovely, with lots of water and flowers and wildlife, so I snapped photos while Stu got increasingly frustrated with his game. We had lunch and then settled back at the house. Now I so appreciate being able to stay in this lucrative part of Harare with this wonderful family, but I was missing the city. I was anxious to get out there and explore a little, so I caught a combi outside their house and just rode into the city center, which takes about 25 minutes. This was a Sunday afternoon, so everything was closed downtown, so my visit was short-lived. I decided I best find the combi back since it was getting late in the day, and I asked around for the combi to Glen Lorne, the neighborhood I was staying in. Unfortunately I did not know there is a Glen Nora neighborhood, and with my accent, the locals thought I was saying Glen Nora. I jumped in a combi and I was off. Soon I noticed that the sun was on the wrong side of the vehicle and nothing looked right. I thought perhaps a different route back? Eventually it became clear that I was not going to Glen Lorne and finally asked the conductor about this. Many had a good laugh in the combi and we agreed that yes, there was a breakdown in communication. Yet they stopped, flagged a combi heading back into the city, and paid for me to return so I could catch the right one. I was glad for the little tour of a different part of the city and eventually found the Glen Lorne combi, but that still did not get me to where I needed to go, requiring me to call Stu to the rescue as it was dark by then.

I have continued to enjoy my time in Zimbabwe. It just might be my favorite African country. The people are wonderful and the scenery amazing. There has been so much struggle, and continues to be, but you wouldn't know it by the way you are treated as a welcomed guest. Somehow within all the chaos, things work, and people have learned to be creative and adapt. I admire that. My friend who distracted me from the botatanical gardens actually left Zim when things got bad and moved to OZ. He said he could not stand it there. It was much too orderly and so many rules. Somehow I could understand that. I find when I return to the U.S. from travels, I question so much of what we do and why we do it. It's nice to get a break from structure while on the road. Many of my friends here have chosen to stay in Zim despite all that has happened as this is where they were born, their home, and where their heart is, and I can appreciate that. I hesitate to leave myself any time soon, but as it is, I plan to head to Bulawayo tomorrow and then eventually up to Victoria Falls to be reunited with Hays who is finally off PC grounding and can travel. Before then, I plan to do some more shopping! They have lots of markets and crafts here, and I am all too happy to spend my money here rather than Botswana.

The Herald

The Herald -How Great Thou Art

Honoraris Causa In an article entitled "Rebirth of Zimbabwe Art" — (Herald, Friday 26th March 2010) this writer mentioned "the ambassadorial role undertaken by our prominent senior visual artists — promoting the country’s heritage worldwide".

Examples being Lazarus Takawira, Richard Mteki (Snr) and Tapfuma Gutsa, the current deputy director of the National Gallery of Zimbabwe, alluded to them deserving national public honour for their contribution to Zimbabwe’s heritage.

In a latter article — (Friday 18th June 2010), Zimbabwean international visual artist, based in South Africa, "Tashinga Gondo bemoans lack of visual art training".

I referred to the fact that "our own Ministry of Education Sports Arts and Culture have not developed a comprehensive national tertiary visual arts syllabus in a country that is internationally acclaimed for its production of world-class art."

A proposed modus operandi today, would be to honour our artists academically, professionally and civically, as is the practice in many countries around the world.

On the premise of the latter, and in consultation with professional colleagues in visual arts practice and discourse in Nigeria, Cote d’Ivoire, the Gambia, Kenya, South Africa, Tanzania as well as those in France, Germany, Spain, England, Italy, USA and Mexico (my contemporaries in world art critics associations).

It was suggested that professional artists curators and writers embark on a campaign to honour artists especially in Africa, where they have made a mammoth contribution to the contemporary "Tangible Heritage" and cultural memory bank of their respective countries, but have been largely ignored.

In Zimbabwe, which is known world-wide for its rich and unique artistic production, it is a crying shame that we have not honoured our eminent artists, who stand out and hold their own internationally.

For the uninitiated there are many examples of the practice of Honoraris Causa in contemporary art history. Some of which are as follows:

African-American sculptor Elizabeth Cutlett Mora, born April 1915, received an Honorary Doctorate from Pace University in New York, USA.

In 2003, she was a recipient of the Lifetime Achievement in Contemporary Sculpture Award from the International Sculpture Centre. She is a Howard University alumni and a University of Iowa Alumni.

Similarly, British Artist Jean Frink (DBE, CH, RA), born 1930-1993, was one of five ‘Women of Achievement’ selected for a set of British stamps issued in August 1996. Three years after her death, she was also awarded the Dames Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE), Order of the Companions of Honour (CH), AND Membership of the Royal Academicians of Great Britain (RA)

Joan Miro (I Ferra) born April 1893 — December 1983, was a Spanish Catalan painter, sculptor and ceramicist.

In 1980 he received "The Gold Medal of Fine Arts" from King Juan Carlos of Spain and a Doctorate Honorius Causa in 1979 from the University of Barcelona.

Subsequently, his painting "La Caresse des Etoiles" sold for US$17 million on May 5, 2008.

Pablo Diego Ruiz y Picasso born October 1881 — April 1973, Spanish painter, draughtsman, sculptor, who was largely self taught and whose works rank amongst the most expensive in the world, as of 2004, selling for a new record of US$104 million at Sotheby’s for the work "Garcon a la Pipe".

Picasso received the "International Lenin Peace Prize" in 1962, for his painting "Massacre in Korea", which was an outcry against war.

Dame Barbara Jocelyn Hepworth was made a Dame of the British Empire (DBE) in 1965, 10 years, before her death in May 1975.

In her honour, The Hepworth Wakefield Museum is currently under construction in Wakefield, Yorkshire, and it is anticipated to open its doors this year.

Kathe Schmidt Kollwitz, born July 1867 — April 1945, is a German painter, print maker and sculptor. In 1920, she was awarded a full professorship.

A regular state income and a spacious luxury studio for her contribution to German art.

In 1991, 45 years after her death, the Deutsche Bundespost honoured her on German stamps in the "Women in German History" philatelic series.

More recently in Mexico, Visual Artist Diego Riveira and Frieda Kahlo were honoured by the Mexican Government for their contribution, to Mexican culture.

Their government has issued a new 500 Mexican pesos bank note featuring the two artists.

Closer to home, we have similar arts luminaries.

A point in case being Tapfuma Gutsa, a world renowned Zimbabwean visual artist and visiting, lecturer at the University of Athens, Georgia USA.

His intellectual perspicacity has enriched Zimbabwe and the world’s, cultural iconography over close to three decades. He is also the first recipient of the "President’s Award of Honour" in 1995, at the Mobil/Anglo American Exhibitions in Zimbabwe, for "Consistent artistic excellence and outstanding dedication the development of Contemporary Visual Art of Zimbabwe".

It is only befitting that such luminary is awarded a Doctorate in the Arts, and an accompanying diplomatic passport to facilitate travels to World Art Expos, such as the Venice Biennale, the German Document and Art Basel Miami shows.

Perhaps, the scope of academic and civic accreditation should also be extended to the other arts disciplines, such as Film, Theatre, Music and Literature. Personalities such as Shimmer Chinodya, Charles Mungoshi, Virginia Moyo, Walter Mparutsa, Stephen Chifunyise, Oliver Mtukudzi, Chiwoniso Maraire, Lovemore Majaivana, Stella Chiweshe, Ambuya MaDube and Tsitsi Dangarembgwa, are but a few to mention, that are deserving of our honour.

We owe it to these and other artists, to bestow upon them the "Honoraries Causa", for their contribution to the arts and cultural land scape of Zimbabwe.

Dr Tony Monda is an art critic, writer and researcher. He can be contacted on tinono@yahoo.com

Zim Africa’s final frontier market – Amstel | The Zimbabwe Situation - Zimbabwe News updated daily

Zim Africa’s final frontier market – Amstel | The Zimbabwe Situation - Zimbabwe News updated daily

www.newsday.co.zw

Netherlands based investment research firm, Amstel Securities says it considers Zimbabwe to be “the final frontier market in Africa” and a high conviction idea ignored by investors.

In its market analysis of the country’s post-crisis investment opportunities, Amstel Securities, said “Zimbabwe’s economy can easily triple in size to over $12bn by 2015”, propelled by “dollarisation”.

The country’s economic planners see nominal gross domestic product (GDP) at $5,5 billion this year from $4,4 billion last year.

“A key driver for growth is the country’s mineral wealth, especially in low-cost platinum production with new projects worth over $1bn underway,” said Amstel.

“Zimbabwe offers significant opportunities in agriculture, hydro power and tourism.”

The company said following a decade of decline, it forecasts that tourism will generate over $1bn in revenues by 2015, despite Zimbabwe’s high perceived country risk.

The country’s mineral wealth is expected to be the major driver of growth through the exploitation of low-cost platinum production, compared to high-cost platinum production in South Africa.

Investments in platinum have already attracted over US$1bn in new investments this year.

The company notes that recovery potential of the country as large.

“As a matter of fact some estimates currently suggest that the Zimbabwe economy is already double the size of recent IMF estimates of just US$4,4bn (2009),” said Amstel.

Beyond mining Zimbabwe offers large opportunities in agriculture, cheap hydro power, and tourism, which after a decade of decline has finally revived.

Amstel forecasts tourism receipts to double in size to US$1bn by the year 2015.

At the end of 2008, the country was effectively bankrupt and de-facto the Zimbabwe economy had become dollarised by year-end 2008.

The dollarisation has provided significant benefits to Zimbabwe.

The economy has been fully re-monetised and financial re-intermediation has helped to enforce a new fiscal discipline in the country.

These improvements in monetary, fiscal and economic policies have made Zimbabwe a much more vibrant economy, with good further recovery potential.

Amstel said global politics is taking a new constructive view of the coalition government of President Robert Mugabe and Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai.

This may lead to substantial debt relief for Zimbabwe in the medium term.

The economic and monetary policies in Zimbabwe have been strengthened recently according to the IMF, while international relations have improved.

“While post-conflict Zimbabwe is regarded by many investors as a distressed investment play, we feel strongly that Zimbabwe has good further recovery potential.

“Investing in Zimbabwe, Africa’s final frontier market, therefore is likely to be highly rewarding. The economy is more vibrant and dynamic than what most investors believe.

“Zimbabwe’s vast mineral wealth clearly indicates that the country is much richer than what official macro statistics indicate at first sight.”

The country sits on one of the world’s largest deposits of diamonds, gold, nickel and platinum.

Investors should look at the success story of neighbouring Botswana in order to realise how large the investment potential of Zimbabwe in reality might be.

The Botswana economy shows many similar characteristics compared to Zimbabwe and applying Botswana GDP indicators to Zimbabwe imply a potential for Zimbabwe to be able to triple in size.

Amstel said applying a more conservative indicator for the country’s potential, an investor could also assume a return for Zimbabwe to its 1997 GDP levels, which was US$8bn, and implies a doubling of Zimbabwe’s GDP in the medium term.

A 360 report for HARARE best shopping

A 360 report for HARARE best shopping

U.S. during the month as customers came in for frappés and fruit smoothies.

But the results weren't as strong as analysts were expecting, largely on weakness in Europe, and shares fell Thursday morning.

The world's largest hamburger chain said that August sales at restaurants open at least 13 months climbed 4.9 percent. While the performance was strong, it is down from July's 5.7 percent rise -- the biggest monthly increase since a 6.1 percent gain in April 2009.

The measurement is for restaurant operators because it measures growth at existing locations. It excludes growth at stores that open or close during the year.

McDonald's Corp. said the figure climbed 2.2 percent in Europe on strong results in the U.K. and Russia. Limited items, such as the U.K.'s summer barbecue food event, drove sales.

Work on monument ongoing

Officials say an Ohio Lake Erie island landmark will remain closed in 2011 as repair work continues.

The 1915 Perry's Victory and International Peace Memorial on South Bass Island near Put-in-Bay was shut down to tourists in November, when restoration began.

The 74-year-old elevator has already been fixed inside the 350-foot-tall monument, and superintendent Blanca Alvarez Stransky says the next phase includes installation of a drainage system. And, she says the National Park Service has awarded a $5.1 million contract to restore the monument's observation deck, where a 500-pound piece of concrete fell off in June 2006.

No one was hurt, but the concrete punched a hole into the plaza below.

The monument from 1915 commemorates a key victory in the War of 1812.

Zimbabweans driven to drink

Sales of beer have surged by 50 percent in Zimbabwe over the past year amid the misery of daily power and water outages and ongoing economic woes.

Health authorities also are reporting increases in illnesses linked to the consumption of illegal, homemade drinks with a high alcohol content made from potatoes, rags, chemicals, rotting vegetables and sugar.

One illegal liquor distilled over wood fires in the bush around Harare is known as "Take Me Quick."

"You can't plan ahead, not much further than a few days at a time, so why not have a beer?" said Stanley Chida, the owner of two discothèque clubs in downtown Harare.

The international Chronic Poverty Research Center said the temptation to escape into alcohol has only deepened the plight of impoverished communities across Africa.

Zimbabwe's market was liberalized after the country's coalition government abandoned the local currency in early 2009 and adopted the U.S. dollar.

Before that, store shelves were bare of basic goods, and acute beer and liquor shortages even shut down some bars.

MyKawartha Article: Art speaks to life in Zimbabwe

MyKawartha Article: Art speaks to life in Zimbabwe

Art speaks to life in Zimbabwe

Brian Nichols' work provides glimspe of life at Howard Hospital

(PETERBOROUGH) This November, Brian Nichols will make his sixth trek to Zimbabwe and, more specifically, Howard Hospital.

A local psychotherapist, Nichols often works with children. But it's the youths at the rural hospital that really tug at his heart strings and, he hopes, yours too.

Until Sept. 30 at The Spill, 414 George St. N., Nichols' paintings and photographs are being displayed, each depicting life in a place where life is often all too short due to the ravages of HIV/AIDS.

At the 144-bed hospital, Nichols has spent much of his time in the children's ward -- playing music, painting and reading to the kids.

After each trip, he has returned to Peterborough and painted. Initially, those paintings mostly depicted coffins.

More recently, his work has provided a record of some of the stories the hospital has provided and explored what being there has meant to him.

As Nichols puts it, painting "deepens my understanding of the suffering so I can better connect with the people at Howard Hospital.

"The people on the wards offer such an amazing window from which to see if we are prepared to keep our eyes and our hearts wide open."

Peterborough and area residents have been generous to Howard Hospital with local financial support key in keeping its doors open.

Nichols is hopeful that those who come to The Spill to view his latest work will leave a donation behind.

Township art exhibition launched

Township art exhibition launched

A township art exhibition that depicts life in the country’s high density suburbs from the 1950s to date has been launched at the National Gallery of Zimbabwe.

The aim of the exhibition is to offer one of the largest and best selections of fine art by Zimbabwean artists whose pieces have been largely ignored.

The range of paintings on different mediums covers a wide variety of genres such as wildlife art, landscapes and township scenes.

Other categories include sculpture, hand-coloured engravings and ceramics.

Newer forms of art such as mixed media are also featured in the exhibition.

The Curator of the National Gallery of Zimbabwe, Raphael Chikukwa said township art depicts the struggle for existence and the hope of survival in many of Zimbabwe’s townships, pointing out that pieces on display have been largely ignored by art galleries for many years.

“This is art that is not usually given space in the gallery and we are trying to give them a chance, we have works including those by Jangano the late, among others,” Chikukwa said.

The distinctive aspect of some of the art is the combination of rough and raw materials like wood, plastic, metal, tin and paint work to create a unique and intriguing depiction of daily life.

Margaret Majo, an artist from Highfield who uses bottle tops as a form of media says her work is unique as each piece is different.

“I have interest in bottle tops and each of the tops I design is different from another. This is different from doing art on people and animals, because they have always been there,” said Majo.

The exhibition is part of the search for Zimbabwe’s lost township and resistance art, taken out of the country by art collectors in the 1970s and '80s, as the national gallery embarks on a global retrieval campaign.

UK-based Zim duo ride airwaves - Newsday: Everyday News for Everyday People

UK-based Zim duo ride airwaves - Newsday: Everyday News for Everyday People

A United Kingdom-based Zimbabwean duo, Seraj Khan and Kazis Farhan, known in entertainment circles as Bkay and Kazz, have released a single title, Sing-a-long, dedicated to local football fans.

The song captures the excitement fans draw from watching soccer.

“It also describes the exciting feeling that one gets on a Friday night when they can’t wait to go to their favourite joint,” said Kazz.

The duo is also set to release another single, 7 Wonders.

“We wanted to make people aware of what a great country we have back home and find out if they even know the we have one of the Seven Wonders of the World, Victoria Falls,” Kay said.

Bkay and Kazz’s music is a blend of R&B and dancehall music and the two are also multi-talented as they do beat-boxing, song-writing and producing.

The two have become increasingly popular on the music scene, especially early this year after they released their album Boomslang that has hot tracks like Amina Kadeya and Wynd with Me.

They performed at the Harare International Festival of the Arts in April during their tour around the country.

Their single, You know it’s Right, made it to number one in the pre-downloading charts and within a week of its release, it had made it into the UK top 30 charts while their video was rated top 10 in the UK Channel U’s music charts.

Zim hosts German jazz duo - Newsday: Everyday News for Everyday People

Zim hosts German jazz duo - Newsday: Everyday News for Everyday People

The entertainment frenzy that rocked Zimbabwe in the last couple of weeks during which international music acts played in the country continues this week with a concert at the Zimbabwe-Germany Society featuring FAVO, a renowned German jazz duo.

The duo of soprano saxophonist Volker Schlott and bass clarinettist Falk Breitkreuz, which landed on Monday, will collaborate with local artistes in a concert tonight at the ZGS premises in Milton Park.

Local artistes including Taurai Mandebvu, Tererai Mugwadi, Hope Masike, Prayer Mtamangira, mbira genius Takunda Mafika, prolific drummer Mwaengawenyu Njikizana aka Sebede, Michael Mtekedza and Blessing Chimanga are some of the artistes expected to feature in the concert.

“We are very happy to be here, we feel very welcome and we are also looking forward to working with local artistes,” said Schlott at a press conference.

FAVO members trained at the Heinz Eisler School which is a reportedly renowned of music in the eastern part of what used to be the divided city of Berlin.

They have been very much in demand as session musicians working with such well-known names as Cecil Taylor, Mikis Theodorakis, Jocelyn B Smith, Chaka Kahn and Udo Lindenberg and they have proven their worth in all kinds of music formations, from Big Bands to symphony orchestras.

“Organically the soprano saxophone and the bass clarinet bond with each other complementing each other so well producing a delightful, percussive effect that I am sure everyone is going to enjoy,” said an upbeat Schlott.

FAVO is currently on a tour of Africa and Harare was their first stop, before going to Tanzania, Burundi, and a number of other African countries before returning to Germany.

Local artistes were ecstatic at the opportunity of collaborating with the international stars as they got a chance to practise with the German Jazz crooners in a workshop Wednesday.

Travel and Tourism Harare the sunshine city of Zimbabwe - Amazines.com Article Search Engine

Travel and Tourism Harare the sunshine city of Zimbabwe - Amazines.com Article Search Engine

Located in the northeastern part of the country Harare is the capital, the largest city and the economic and financial zone of Zimbabwe. Harare was not a very well developed country earlier but slowly and gradually it emerged as a well developed and a modernized city of Zimbabwe. There are so many airlines traveling to this destination depicting its importance that how this city has became popular all over the world. Harare as a tourist destination possesses so many awesome places and tourist’s hotspots leaving a warm welcoming effect on all those travelers traveling to this city for the first time in their life. Harare flights are not so costly as almost all the airlines of the world offer some discounted fare rates for most of the direct as well as on indirect flights as well.

Quite recently Harare has emerged as a developed city as so many buildings have risen in a shorter period of time giving this city a look of ultra modern industrial and commercial zone. There are so many restaurants, museums, bars, hotels, shopping malls, discos, and art galleries letting all the visitors and tourists to choose anything at their option providing them lots and lots of opportunities to enjoy in this capital city. While traveling to this capital city one should try to reserve his cheap flights to Harare as there is always a great demand for these cheap flights since Harare has got the international fame for travel and tourism.

Shopping is always a nice experience while traveling to any part of the world and Harare also offers so many departmental stores, shopping plazas and famous markets from where travelers can get everything of their need. Hanging out in the city streets is a very lucrative thing to do especially in the city center which is a famous place among the business professionals and foreign investors. Shopping is not the only thing for which these travelers travel for after taking their flights to Harare but many other things like hiking, trekking, game fishing and different sports and games also act as an incentive to enjoy this lovely destination.

Earlier Zimbabwe was a part of British Empire and so many international passengers from U.K also travel to Harare throughout the year. After enjoying their air journey most of them travel to Harare as this city has so many things which normally other cities of Zimbabwe don’t have. As a result of great demand for flights to Harare from London so many airlines operating from London have lowered down their fare rates for Harare.

Travel and Tourism Harare the sunshine city of Zimbabwe - Amazines.com Article Search Engine

Travel and Tourism Harare the sunshine city of Zimbabwe - Amazines.com Article Search Engine

Located in the northeastern part of the country Harare is the capital, the largest city and the economic and financial zone of Zimbabwe. Harare was not a very well developed country earlier but slowly and gradually it emerged as a well developed and a modernized city of Zimbabwe. There are so many airlines traveling to this destination depicting its importance that how this city has became popular all over the world. Harare as a tourist destination possesses so many awesome places and tourist’s hotspots leaving a warm welcoming effect on all those travelers traveling to this city for the first time in their life. Harare flights are not so costly as almost all the airlines of the world offer some discounted fare rates for most of the direct as well as on indirect flights as well.

Quite recently Harare has emerged as a developed city as so many buildings have risen in a shorter period of time giving this city a look of ultra modern industrial and commercial zone. There are so many restaurants, museums, bars, hotels, shopping malls, discos, and art galleries letting all the visitors and tourists to choose anything at their option providing them lots and lots of opportunities to enjoy in this capital city. While traveling to this capital city one should try to reserve his cheap flights to Harare as there is always a great demand for these cheap flights since Harare has got the international fame for travel and tourism.

Shopping is always a nice experience while traveling to any part of the world and Harare also offers so many departmental stores, shopping plazas and famous markets from where travelers can get everything of their need. Hanging out in the city streets is a very lucrative thing to do especially in the city center which is a famous place among the business professionals and foreign investors. Shopping is not the only thing for which these travelers travel for after taking their flights to Harare but many other things like hiking, trekking, game fishing and different sports and games also act as an incentive to enjoy this lovely destination.

Earlier Zimbabwe was a part of British Empire and so many international passengers from U.K also travel to Harare throughout the year. After enjoying their air journey most of them travel to Harare as this city has so many things which normally other cities of Zimbabwe don’t have. As a result of great demand for flights to Harare from London so many airlines operating from London have lowered down their fare rates for Harare.

The Sunday Mail - Online

The Sunday Mail - Online

Harare offers family entertainment.

By Malcolm Leppard.

DURING this era of high cost of goods and services, where can families go for reasonably priced outdoor entertainment in Harare?

Unfortunately, during the past two decades, a variety of recreational and entertainment venues have been closed. An ice rink, two ten-pin bowling alleys and two drive-in cinemas are sadly no longer with us.
The eastern part and outskirts of Harare offer a wide range of interests and entertainment suitable for a wide range of ages — pre-teens, teenagers, young adults and for families in general. Whether interested in nature or animals, family-orientated games or more interested in the arts, there is something for everyone.Greenwood Park on Herbert Chitepo Avenue, between Seventh and Eighth streets, is the ideal place for toddlers and pre-teenagers, offering train rides, trampoline, canoeing, sky rides and other entertainment.

The entertainment is provided in a safe setting. Greenwood Park offers a perfect outdoor venue in town for kiddies’ birthday parties. Though mainly suitable for the under- 12s, some rides, such as the train, can accommodate adults. The park is run under the auspices of the Round Table No. 1, the proceeds going to charity.Opening times are: Wednesday-Sunday and public holidays — 10am to 5pm.Entrance (on Herbert Chitepo Avenue and Eighth Street) is free, with individual entertainment priced from 50 cents.Refreshment facilities are also available.

Cleveland Dam, home to a number of family-orientated activities, was constructed in 1913 on the Mukuvisi River as a water supply for Harare.It is set in a catchment area of indigenous woodland and a large area reclaimed from informal cultivation that once threatened siltation of the dam. During this period, widespread felling of indigenous trees and a eucalyptus plantation took place. Fortunately, the site is now securely fenced and regeneration of the indigenous flora is progressing well.The location is reached by taking the Mutare Road eastwards from the city, by crossing Harare Drive, turning left immediately past Danhiko (just past Jaggers on the right), into a winding road flanked by pine trees.

A quarry on the left is used by members of the Mountain Club of Zimbabwe to practise their climbing techniques. The entrance fee to Cleveland Dam is US$1 per person, cars are parked for free.
Water is always an attraction and Cleveland Dam is no exception.The placid waters are suitable for fishing at US$5 per day.The picnic/braai sites, positioned among huge rocks and indigenous trees, are well sited, creating wonderful playing opportunities for children. During the busy times (weekends and holidays), however, things may get a bit noisy with a cacophony of conflicting musical genres.
The Harare City Council has built four new two-bedroom reasonably priced chalets catering for a maximum of four adults per unit, enabling people to escape the noise and hustle and bustle of city life just a few kilometres from the city centre. If taking up residence, however, one would be advised to keep windows closed due to the presence of inquisitive, cheeky monkeys that wait for any opportunity to nip in and share one’s food! One would be advised to check the latest availability and costs with the council.Unfortunately, most of the equipment in the playground is in a state of disrepair. It would not take much effort or expense by the council to repair or replace the pieces, perhaps by seeking some co-operation with a private company.At certain times, pony rides are available, but the information was not forthcoming at the time of writing.A hidden jewel is Haka Game Park where zebra and other ungulates can be seen nonchalantly grazing the vlei grasses. Access is via the dam road as above, but veering off to the left just prior to the site buildings. Once in the park, one can easily forget that the park is on the outskirts of the capital city.The third site worth visiting is Chapungu Sculpture Park. Not as it was in its heyday when traditional dances were performed, the park is nevertheless worth visiting. It doesn’t offer joy rides or similar entertainment, but instead displays works by some of Zimbabwe’s greatest home-grown sculptors.This is where one can watch many of the second generation busy sculpting their own stone creations. It is worth noting that there is no entrance fee! It’s open from 8am to 5pm between Monday and Friday and from 9am to 12:30 on Saturday and Sunday.

Doon Estate, adjacent to Chapungu, is an interesting complex of 23 enterprises making up the Art Mart, dealing in crafts, pottery, wood products, fabrics, a Belgium chocolate factory, unusual gifts and a famed organic restaurant, among others, set in a pleasant, quiet environment unlike most “upper” market outlets. Its opening hours differ from Chapungu, being 8am Monday to Friday and 9am to 12:30 on Saturday. It is closed on Sunday.Both Chapungu and Doon Estate, sharing the same entrance, can be accessed from Mutare Road, driving east through Msasa, on reaching the second petrol station on the left (at the crossroads), turn right into Felice Avenue. The original entrance is closed, so one must drive a couple or so hundred metres further on.To visit Chapungu, on entering, drive straight ahead into the car park. To visit the Doon Estate proper, bear right. It would make economical sense to experience both attractions at the same time, though this would not be possible on Saturday afternoons or Sundays.

Spend a wonderful Vacation in Harare

From nhtialliance.com

Pack your bags now and get ready for a great African journey. Exploring Zimbabwe is one of the greatest experiences as the country is filled with great attractions and its cities are amongst the most famous African cities. Zimbabwe is a great destination when it comes to vacationers as there is a lot to do and a lot to see in this region of Africa. Due to its cultural diversity and tourists attractions, high demand of Harare flights is being examined. Most of the flights land on main international airport of Zimbabwe i.e Harare International airport.

Harare:
Harare is the capital city as well as the biggest city of Zimbabwe. The city has great attractions and the living standard here in quite good. Former Salisbury; Harare is also a commercial capital that means you’ll be witnessing grand buildings and facilities.

Harare has a moderate climate throughout the year, which makes it easy for a traveler to visit the grand city anytime of the year. The city is safe and one can enjoy shopping at any of its shopping malls. Harare and its shopping malls together are perfect for your vacation. Whether you’re a fan of designer clothing or you want to shop some of Africa’s traditional fabric – you will adore everything showcased by the shopping malls of Harare. The city is lined with great shops, banks and parks and if you’re golf fonder then you’ll be amazed to see the golf courses in Harare – your stay at Harare would be amazing.

Hotels and Accommodations in Harare:
If you ever visit Zimbabwe for a vacation, do visit Harare. It has plenty of sight seeing and finding the best hotel isn’t a hard thing to do here. It is recommended that you stay at Meikles Hotel; located in the centre of the city, the hotel offers best bedrooms and services. Interestingly, it is near to all the attractive places you want to visit. It is located in the central business and shopping districts of Harare. If you want to stay at a hotel that is not very expensive and comes under your budget then it is suggested that you stay at Bronto and Baines. It is located in a residential area and is accompanied by a peaceful environment. For a luxurious stay; a stay at Imba Motombo or Wild Geese Lodge would be a sensation. It is located out side the city and has plenty of facilities.

Best Place for Food Lovers:
When it comes to food lovers, they’re highly impressed by the food offered in Harare. The best restaurants where you can dine are Amanzi, Keg & Maiden, Shangri-La and Kwa Mereki. If you’re fond of Chinese food, then you’ll have to visit Shangri-La; this restaurant offers great Chinese food. On the other hand, if you’re aiming to taste the traditional food, pay a visit to Kwa Mereki.

Visiting Harare:
Harare is being served by all major airlines; these include Air Botswana, Airlink, Air Malawi, Air Zambezi, Air Zimbabwe and British Airways. Over the last few years the popularity of Harare among tourists compelled world’s biggest airlines to offer cheap fights to Harare regularly. If you’re in London, you can visit Harare via Air Zimbabwe or British Airways. People from Johannesburg visit the city by booking Harare flights served by South Africa Airways and Kulula.

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This entry was posted on Saturday, September 4th, 2010 at 6:53 am and is filed under Travel Destination. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, ortrackback from your own site.

Akon arrives in Zimbabwe for joint show with Sean Paul | Afrique Avenir

Akon arrives in Zimbabwe for joint show with Sean Paul | Afrique Avenir

PA-Harare (Zimbabwe) Senegalese-American R&B singer Akon arrived in Zimbabwe on Thursday for a one-off joint concert with Jamaican dancehall musician Sean Paul to be held at the weekend in the capital Harare.

There was pandemonium at the Harare International Airport as hundreds of fans jostled to touch the popular artist who is in Zimbabwe for the first time.

Akon’s convoy of about 50 vehicles received police escort from the airport to a five-star hotel in Harare’s central business district where he would be staying.

He is expected to visit Zimbabwe’s premier tourist destination Victoria Falls on Friday ahead of Saturday’s show.

Sean Paul is due to arrive on Friday or early Saturday.

The concert, dubbed “It’s the Real Deal Concert” is sponsored by the Zimbabwe National Arts Council, the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority, the Zimbabwe Music Rights Association, Interfin Banking Corporation and Zimswag Productions.

The two musicians join a growing list of artists that have come to Zimbabwe during the past three years as part of the country’s perception management programme.

The ZTA has since 2007 been inviting high profile artists in an attempt to spruce up the country’s image which has been battered by a decade-long political crisis.

Artists who have already performed in the country include R&B star Joe Thomas and reggae icon Sizzla.

cheap airport parking: Harare – A Breathtaking Cosmopolitan City | cheap airport parking

cheap airport parking: Harare – A Breathtaking Cosmopolitan City | cheap airport parking

Impressive urban landscapes, wide streets, green streets and many parks and gardens give the city a sanctuary. Add to this wonderful accomplishment Western culture and African mixture of nature capital. This is really a wide range of recreational facilities for tourists. Welcome to one of the most beautiful cities in Africa, Harare.Getting in this exotic city, it is very difficult. On the inner side of the highway from Harare Zimbabwe in Johannesburg. This may be caused by a car or bus. Outside Africa, cheap flights to Harare, in a simple and widely available throughout the world.

For the best deals and packages in Harare, tour operators, can be found. Britain is now one of the main actors in this field. Harare International Airport is one of the main international airport in Zimbabwe. Once in town, you better enjoy wandering in a climate car.Harare rent popular and pleasant all year round, day after day. It is a city to visit a reasonable period of time. City derives income mainly from agriculture, textile, steel and mining. Hosts several well-designed buildings, monuments and buildings.

Many of the most notable of these decorate the city skyline. The most popular of the city, construction work, however, preserved historical buildings.Untouched natural habitats and plantation, which is often seen in Harare. This makes the city a cosmopolitan, cheerful color. National Botanic Gardens is home to over 900 species of plants, where Mukuvisi Woodlands provide 256 acres of flora and fauna. Two areas are worth a visit an experience that rejuvenates you from inside. Chapungu Kral and Sean picturesque village theme Reichraminger National Gallery is the perfect place to show incredible mind-craft wire to visit Sean, interesting collection of national and international exhibitions fabulous.

The National Archives provides travelers with full knowledge of the trip to Fort Salisbury, now Harare. Queen Victoria Queen Victoria Museum and Library at the Expo Centre is worth a visit institutions.Accommodation easily in many 3 and 4 stars. These hotels, though not very expensive and not very appreciated, without sacrificing quality. Living in a Harare hotel, luxurious and comfortable. The city has an internationally recognized 5 star hotel Maikel. The hotel is beautiful, luxurious and extravagant, a perfect choice for luxury in Harare demanding travelers.

Eating pleasant experience. Kitchen of the city are known throughout the world, and it is said that diplomats and art

http://cheap-airport-parking.maxsiteth.com/cheap-airport-parking-harare-a-breathtaking-cosmopolitan-city/

Harare stands still as Akon sweeps into town

Harare stands still as Akon sweeps into town

Zimbabwe welcome 'incredible': Akon

Zimbabwe welcome 'incredible': Akon

Harare, Zimbabwe: 10 Things You Should Know | Afribiz.info

Harare, Zimbabwe: 10 Things You Should Know | Afribiz.info

After a decade of lying almost dormant, business and leisure tourism are bouncing back in Zimbabwe’s capital alongside the rest of the country’s economy. Tourism grew 2.8% in the first half of 2009 and authorities predict 100,000 new tourism jobs will be created before the end of the year, and the 2010 Soccer World Cup is likely to boost tourist numbers too.

1. Getting there and away

British Airways, Air France KLM, Virgin Atlantic and Qatar Airways all fly regular routes into Zimbabwe. Several African airlines also service routes into Zimbabwe’s Harare International Airport, including local carrier Air Zimbabwe, as well as Kenya Airways and Ethiopian Airlines.

You do not require a visa if you are a resident in a southern African country. Australian, Canadian, USA and EU nationals can get a 90-day visa upon entering Zimbabwe, but will need a return ticket and sufficient proof that their funds will sustain their stay.

2. Getting around

Harare International Airport is 12km from the city centre and local taxi services are easily available. Official taxi services include Rixi Taxi and A1 Taxi Service Co. Take caution as taxis are not metered and a fixed price needs to be agreed upon beforehand, or else you risk paying from US $3 to $30 for a short journey. Filling up is quite expensive in Zimbabwe and the easiest way to buy petrol is with fuel vouchers generally purchased in increments of 20 litres for about $30 each. Buses also travel around Harare, as well as to other cities like Bulawayo.

3. Where to stay

The Rainbow Towers Hotel, formerly the Sheraton, (+263 477 2633) offers one of the best business stays in Harare, with high-speed internet and 24-hour room service and is home to Harare’s biggest conference centre. The Meikles Hotel (+263 425 1705; res@meikles.com; www.meikles.com) has beautiful classic furnishings and costs $250 for a double deluxe room. The Holiday Inn (+263 479 5611;www.ichotelsgroup.com) is decent, at $220 a night.

4. Eating out

The Meikles Hotel has a good range of restaurants and bars. For formal dining, try La Fontaine Grillroom and The Pavillion, with their set dining times. The Lounge bar is more low-key, serving light meals all day. Enterprise Road in the Chisipite area is home to some of Harare’s top eateries, including Amanzi (158 Enterprise Road; +263 449 7768), famed for its delicious lunches and good service. For a fancy cup of coffee, try the cosmopolitan Glass House in Green Park, Enterprise Road (+263 449 9468).

5. History

Originally established as Fort Salisbury in 1890, Harare has remained the capital of Zimbabwe. The country saw its independence from Britain in late 1965 and was formally recognised as the Republic of Zimbabwe in 1982.

The National Gallery (20 Julius Nyerere Way; +263 470 4666; www.nationalgallery. co.zw) has Shona artefacts, as well as exhibits originating from the birth of Zimbabwe. Other historical offerings are on show at the Queen Victoria Museum and the Queen Victoria National Library at the Civic Centre.

6. Shopping

Shopping malls include Chisipite Shopping Centre and Arundel Village, but for a traditional African shopping experience, go to Mbare Market, 3km out of the town centre with its range of fresh produce, curio items and market stalls with local arts and crafts. Don’t miss a taste of sadza, a stiff porridge eaten with gravy or relish.

7. Outdoors

The National Botanic Herbarium and Gardens (+263 470 6077; www. nationalherbarium.org.zw) is home to 900 species of wild trees and natural flora from all over the country, 4km outside the city centre in the Alexandra area. For a wilder excursion, visit the Mukuvisi Woodlands (+263 474 7152), home to giraffes, impalas, wildebeest, bushbuck and more. Mukuvisi Woodlands stretch over a 270-hectare expanse, 5km from Harare.

8. Victoria Falls

This World Heritage site, also known as Mosi-oa-Tunya, meaning the mist that thunders, is at its most impressive from the Zimbabwean side of the border with Zambia. Some airlines offer flights to the Falls - Air Zimbabwe (www.airzimbabweuk.com) flies daily. The Victoria Falls Hotel (+263 134 4751;reservations@tvfh.africansun.co.zw; www.africansunhotels.com/ victoriafallshotel), offers a super stay, with rooms from $100 a night.

9. Language

Shona is the predominant official language in Zimbabwe, while Ndebele and English are also widely spoken. Some Shona greetings are:

• Kanjani – Hello
• Muri rayiti? - How are you?
• Ndiri rayiti - I’m fine
• Tatenda - Thank you
• Munonzani - What’s your name?
• Ndinonzi... - My name is...
• Fambai zvakanaka - Go well (said by person staying)
• Sarai zvakanaka - Stay well (said by person going)

10. Reading

For politics, read Geoff Hill’s The Battle for Zimbabwe, an account of the power struggle between Robert Mugabe and Morgan Tsvangirai. Francesca DiPiazza’sZimbabwe in Pictures is a stunning book of images from across the country.

This piece published by Africa investor and written by Shanna Jacobsen. Permission to use granted to Afribiz.

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