10,000 trees to Secure the Source of Mighty Zambezi River

By Kalata News,

Lusaka: STANBIC Bank Zambia has partnered with the World Wide Fund (WWF) for Nature under the “Let’s Secure the Zambezi Campaign” to tackle the devastating effects of climate change by planting trees.

A total of 10,000 trees have so far being raised and will be planted at the source of the mighty Zambezi River in Ikelenge District, about 920km North-west of the Zambian capital Lusaka.

The Let’s Secure Zambezi is a Stanbic Bank Zambia and WWF Zambia initiative, which aims to restore the source of the Zambezi by working with the community to plant trees and conduct awareness activities.

Stanbic Head of Brand and Marketing, Eric Ngondo, said “the Bank has partnered with the WWF to plant the trees as part of the Bank’s efforts to address the distressing effects of climate change, which are partly felt in the extreme weather patterns.”

Stanbic Chief Executive, Mwindwa Siakalima said: “We have all witnessed the extreme weather patterns in recent years, where we have either prolonged drought, heightened flooding, or unusually high temperatures. These have all been attributed to the effects of climate change. It is indisputable that our planet is getting hotter.”

Siakalima said “Ahead of the 2023 Stanbic Music Festival, we pledged that we would plant one tree for every ticket sold to music fans attending the Festival. We are proud to announce that following a successful Festival, we will plant a total of 10,000 trees at the source of the Zambezi River at Ikelenge in December, 2023.”

He continued: “As part of our combined efforts to raise awareness of the importance of maintaining and restoring the ecosystem in and around the Zambezi River catchment area, we will be launching a documentary that demonstrates the scale of the threat the source of the river faces. Human activities and climate change are together affecting the ecological balance of an area rich in flora, fauna and wildlife. It is an area so naturally rich that it is tentatively listed as a possible world heritage site under UNESCO. The Zambezi River Source is in urgent need of rescue; and the people who live there need alternative means with which to subsist. This is why Stanbic and WWF, among others, felt it necessary to raise awareness around this issue, which is of national and international significance.”

WWF Zambia Country Director, Nachilala Nkombo, said: “We’re delighted to continue on this journey for environmental sustainability with Stanbic to secure our most precious water resource, the Zambezi. The Let’s Secure the Zambezi campaign will limit the damage of deforestation in Ikelenge District and the surrounding area & promote environmental conservation. This action will have a beneficial effect not only for people in Ikelenge, but also the millions of people that depend on the Zambezi River in Zambia, Angola, Zimbabwe and Mozambique.”

She said “The second phase of the campaign, will engage a broader group of stakeholders, who include the local schools and residents of the area, with exciting activities all aimed at preserving the natural environment and ecosystem. This will include engaging local schools and community youths, who will participate in a series of activities as well as learn how to produce impact stories that can bring about awareness of climate change impacts in the communities and what they are doing to mitigate it.”

Ms. Nkombo said. She continued: “The local, indigenous population in and around Ikelenge District are on the frontlines of this battle and enormous task of protecting and preserving the source of the Zambezi River – the lifeblood of our economy. Every sector of the economy is affected by this precious water resource. We have to act now to counter deforestation and change the course of how climate change is affecting our ecosystem. We look forward to planting the trees at the Zambezi River source next month in our collective effort of environmental conservation and water stewardship.”

Ikelenge District was part of Mwinilunga District and became an independent district on 1st December, 2010 following the declaration by Zambia’s President Rupiah Bwezani Banda under Statutory Instrument (SI) No. 105 of 2010 cited as the Provincial and District (Division) (Amendment) Order 2010. The district derives its name from one of the local chiefs “Chieftainess Ikeleng’i”.

Ikelenge District boasts of the source of the great Zambezi river locally known as “Nsulu ya Yambezhi.” The district is the largest producer of sweet pineapples in Zambia, with organic honey being another of its major products. Cassava locally known as makamba is the staple food of the local people.

Ikelenge is one of the 11 districts in North-Western Province of Zambia. The district lies between 110 140 South and 240 160 East in the extreme Northwest of the province and covers an approximate area of 2,208 square Kilometres. It shares borders with Mwinilunga district to the South, Angola to the Northwest and Democratic Republic of Congo to the Northeast. The district has a population of approximately 45,000.