Namwala

Namwala is a town with 4,537 inhabitants ( 2006 estimate ) on the Kafue River in the Southern Province in Zambia. It is located 1,000 meters above sea level and is the seat of the administrative district of the same name with 82 810 inhabitants ( 2000 census ). The village is situated between the Itezhitezhi Dam, about 100 kilometers away, and the town of Kafue, some 200 kilometers away.

Economy

The district is located in the Kafueauen and is dominated by agriculture. There are cultivated corn and peanuts in particular. The FAO soil fertility rated as low. Since the dam was built the crop losses due to floods are over, turned the Kafueauen for months in an up to 5,000 -acre lake. Projects try to improve grain storage so that the months of hunger can be bridged. The marketing of maize is a major problem, as markets can hardly be achieved only over bad roads without regular transport links. There are also kept cattle. The Namwala herds counted before 1990 225.000 pieces. 1991, the government provides a free veterinary care. Then broke out a plague and reduced the stock to 150,000. In 2003 was vaccinated reinforced. The foot-and-mouth disease in 2004 could hardly do any damage. Everywhere dominate traditional mud huts with grass roofs, indicating a low prosperity. This is relative because in Namwala the local welfare indicator is the size of the herd, not the house. There is a geared to tourists crafts that produces images and masks.

Infrastructure

Namwala can only be reached on some bad roads. The place runs a motor ferry across the Kafue. The 3600 km ² large Namwala Game Management Area adjacent to the Kafue National Park and the Itezhitezhi reservoir.

Culture

The dominant ethnic groups are Tonga and Ila.