Africa Tourism Minister of the Year 2009: Kenya’s Balala

Najib Balala, Kenya’s tourism minister, has been named 2009 Africa Tourism Minister of the Year, an award which recognises his achievement in making an outstanding contribution to the growth of sustainable tourism investment in Africa. Balala was a leading figure in the implementation of government policy on promoting sustainable tourism, and led the tourism recovery programme in Kenya in 2008.
Kenya suffered greatly from the post election crisis where over 1000 people lost their lives and 350,000 found themselves without a home. Tourism dramatically declined, tourism related businesses were hit hard, many people lost their jobs and consequently Kenya’s economy and identity was negatively affected.

Balala was recognised as being successful in his efforts to assist the promotion of Kenya as an eco-friendly tourist destination, as well as the positive impact his contributions made to businesses, employment, the economic systems and, predominantly, the perception of Kenya as a tourist-friendly country once again.

Elephant rumbles signal hope

The unique natural phenomena exhibited by elephants- the ability to communicate through seismic social calls, otherwise known as ‘rumbles’ in the ground- has been harnessed by Zoologists in Namibia and could be used to save the species.
They found that bull elephants responded directly and intensely to a simulation of the rumbles produced by a female in a state of sexual readiness (which only happens once every 5 years). The bulls changed direction and headed for the origin of the artificially created ground vibrations.
The experiment has been an exciting development and could indicate a tool for keeping elephants, and farmlands, safe. The animals are often considered something of a pest to farmers in Africa- elephants are often found trampling on crops and breaking water installations, which can lead to them being shot. The findings could also be employed to assist bringing stray elephants back within the boundaries of Etosha National Park.

Africa: Anglo-Zulu War 130th Anniversary

In commemoration of the 130th anniversary of the Anglo-Zulu War this month Endumeni Tourism in Dundee, KwaZulu-Natal, has put together a special programme. The line-up begins with a parade in Dundee on January 17 when the 153-year old KwaZulu-Natal regiment, the Natal Carbineers, exercises its right to Freedom of Entry of Dundee. This will be followed on January 19 by a conference on the Anglo-Zulu War, which will feature aminent local and international historians as well as the commanding officers of the Natal Corbineers and the Natal Mounted Rifles.

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Africa: Bushman’s Secrets Revealed

Bushman Kloof Reserve and Retreat will be presenting an archaeological event every month, starting March to June this year. Guests will discover the history of one of the world’s largest open air art galleries during the three-day ‘Art of Archaeology’ programme, with two of South Africa’s foremost archaeologists, Professor John Parkington of the University of Cape Town’s Archaeology Department and Bushmans Kloof resident curator, Siyakha Mguni, who will host excursions and lead informative talks about the San.

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