
Conservation in Mozambique

“This under-birded country on the interface of Southern and Central Africa still holds vast swathes of miombo woodland, and is the best country in which to see the specialities of this habitat…. Politically stable and safe to visit, as well as boasting good travel infrastructure, it is strange that the country has not become more popular with birders, especially with the added attraction of Victoria Falls and big game in the Luangwa Valley.”
Michael Mills, The Birder’s Guide to Africa (2017)
On 17 August, a new exhibition based on over 20 years of research into Livingstone’s local waterbirds opened to the public at the Livingstone Museum. As such, it showcases a small part — there are over 500 species of birds to be found in the Livingstone area alone — of Zambia’s under-appreciated birding proposition which will hopefully help to get the word out more widely to the global birding community.
The exhibition, which runs until mid-November before going on the road to museums around the country, is being held in association with Birdwatch Zambia, underlining the fact that we sit at the birding crossroads of Africa hosting species not only from our continent’s southern region but, as Michael Mills states, also from the east and the west.
We at Alavan partnered the Museum by helping pro bono to raise the sponsorship money which made the holding of the exhibition possible (as well as contributing sponsorship money ourselves). We’d like to join the Museum in recording our thanks to the other sponsors, ie: Atlas Mara Zambia (Platinum Sponsor); XproGraphix (like Alavan, Diamond); JollyBoys, Kayube Lodge, Pauch Consultant, PureSkills, Southern Savannah Safaris and Toyota Zambia (all Gold).
Clare is a New York trained yoga teacher. This week the Zambian Immigration approved for her to continue this work in Zambia. She will be specialising in Yoga Retreats.
Azuri, a Kenyan startup, has moved beyond the high demand products of dried mangoes and pineapples. Their newer lines of production include a nutritious porridge mix for which Clare has provided some nutritional advice.
On 29 June, Alastair participated in the second meeting of the Advisory Board of Africon GmbH – https://www.africon.de – which was held in Nairobi.
Short Courses in Hospitality and Tourism
On Thursday 14th June Clare and Alastair attended the launch of Short Courses in Hospitality and Tourism at LIBES, http://www.libescollege.edu.zm. With tourism being central to the Livingstone economy it is good to see initiatives like this.
May 15-19th, Clare attended the “Ease of Doing Business Initiative (EDBI) Conference” at the Avani Hotel, Livingstone; http://www.edbiafrica.org/zambia/about-edbi/. She was supporting Victor Njakwa and his Chitenge Shoes business who were exhibiting throughout the conference.
Better business opportunities in Macron’s France?
On 14/15 May, Alastair was in Paris for a QALIS meeting (https://www.qalis.eu/?page_id=51) and for a series of discussions with policy experts on prospects for the Macron presidency. He also took time out to support his daughter Carolyn and her fiancé, Carlos, who are about the launch themselves into a series of 12 Stand-Up Paddle-Boarding (SUP) marathons on their home-made (from plastic water bottles) boards to raise awareness of the huge problem of plastic in the ocean. The photo is from the SUP regatta on the Marne in which they were participating.
Working with Yaleo
Clare has been working with Yalelo, Zambia’s largest Tilapia fish farm. The relaunched website includes creative recipes for Zambians. For information on where to buy tilapia; www.yalelo.com
Legal Indaba
In April 2017, Alavan provided pro bono advice on attracting advertising revenue for the relaunch of the Zambian legal journal Legal Indaba. http://www.legalindaba.org/
Chitenge Shoes – local manufacture
Victor Njakwe is a skilled leather worker based in Livingstone. Clare has been assisting him as he develops his business. This has included some training in pricing and general finance, helping in the design of his product for the tourist market and identifying sales opportunities.
Bajaj Bikes in Zambia
Alavan assisted in the successful raising of a short-term loan for Bajaj Zambia https://web.facebook.com/BajajZambia/?_rdc=1&_rdr.
May 15-19th, Clare attended the “Ease of Doing Business Initiative (EDBI) Conference” at the Avani Hotel, Livingstone; http://www.edbiafrica.org/zambia/about-edbi/. She was supporting Victor Njakwa and his Chitenge Shoes business who were exhibiting throughout the conference.
BMCE Bank of Africa
Alastair was formally invited to join the mentors’ panel of BMCE Bank of Africa’s African Entrepreneurship Award — https://africanentrepreneurshipaward.com.
Qalis
In March 2017, Qalis Partners rebranded itself as Qalis. Alastair remains president of its Strategic Committee.
https://www.qalis.eu
Birdwatch Zambia
In January 2017, Alavan renewed its corporate membership of Birdwatch Zambia (http://birdwatchzambia.org).
Livingstone Chamber of Commerce and Industry
In January 2017, Alavan renewed its corporate membership of the LVCCI (http://www.chamber-commerce.net/dir/11662/Livingstone-Chamber-of-Commerce-and-Industry-in-Livingstone).
Corporate Social Responsibility
In December 2016/January 2017, Alavan carried out preliminary work aimed at rebooting the CSR programme of a major Livingstone employer.