EAGLE’S EYE ON KARIBA DAM

…A tour to world’s wonder site
…ZESCO, ZRA updates

BY MOSES WALUBITA
LUSAKA

ONE of the seven principles of the eagle by Bahamian evangelist Myles Munroe is the leadership principle which the eagle possesses on vision.
In the first place, leadership is influencing others to join in the pursuit of a vision for the future.

Without vision, there is no leadership.
But the vision required for effective leadership is not just mere wishes you would like to see come to pass. A strong vision is built from a sense of purpose – a need you strongly want to see solved, or a reality you feel obligated to create, according to leadership expert Dr Munroe (now late).

On Thursday 14th and Friday 15th, November 2024, Zambia Institute of Public Relations and Communication (ZIPRC) had a Continuous Professional Development (CPD) training programme in Siavonga with Ministry of Information and Media (MIM) Permanent Secretary (PS) Thabo Kawana as guest of honour.

During the training, ZIPRC requested for a tour of the Kariba Dam to understand the current water situation, which has been affected by the drought.

The tour was a joint venture between the Zambezi River Authority (ZRA), ZESCO Limited, the Energy Regulation Board (ERB) and the Presidential Delivery Unit (PDU).

At the workshop held at Savee Beach Resort, a presentation was made on ‘’Navigating Energy Challenges Posed by Low Water Levels at Kariba Dam.’’
The low water level is affecting ZESCO power generation at Kariba North Power Bank in Siavonga District, Southern Province of Zambia.
Kariba North Power Bank’s senior manager Cephas Museba said due to low water level as result of drought currently ZESCO at Kariba North Power Bank is at 59 centimeters of live water for power generation and one turbine is in operation out of six and operating at 110 megawatts (MW) instead of 180 megawatts (MW) normal operation.

ZESCO has recorded an increase of five centimeters of water in the first two rainfalls. He explained that if the rain continues the way it has started, water levels may increase at Lake Kariba.

The Kariba Dam rehabilitation project started around 2019 with the aim of prolonging the life span of the Kariba Dam that was built around 1958 funded by European Union, World Bank and other partners.

Kariba Dam rehabilitation project was undertaken in two phases but happening at the same time. Phase one was the reshaping of the dam foundation and plunge pool as it had developed cracks due to erosion and was worked on by Razel Bec, a French company.

Phase two of Kariba Dam rehabilitation project was to work on the spill gate by the French company.

The purpose of the Kariba Dam rehabilitation project was to address the hazard that would have caused loss of many lives in the Lower Zambezi River covering Chirundu, Kafue and part of Lusaka.

In his book, RHODESIA AND NYASALAND LANDS AND PEOPLES (1961), Colin Black writes that a wall 420 feet high and nearly half a mile wide tamed one of Africa’s greatest rivers.

According to Colin Black, it had been apparent that the two Rhodesias-Southern Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe) and Northern Rhodesia (now Zambia) would have to use their potential resources for hydro-electric power if their economic progress were to be maintained and then accelerated.

The former British territories belonged to the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland which lasted from 1953 to 1963.

After many investigations Lord Malvern, Prime Minister of the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland told the Federal Parliament in 1955, that the Government had decided to proceed with the Kariba project.

On January 1, 1960, the first power from Kariba flowed to Northern Rhodesia’s Copperbelt. Sir Roy Welensky was the last Prime Minister of the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland.

And on November 14, 2024, opening ZIPRC’s workshop on Ethics and Professional Responsibility programme, Zambia’s Ministry of Information and Media Permanent Secretary, Mr. Kawana said it is imperative that all practitioners in public relations (PR) and communication comply with ZIPRC Act. No. 11 of 2022.

The Act provides clear legal guidelines to govern the profession. Every individual either employed or practicing PR and communication in Zambia should be registered with ZIPRC and must possess a valid practicing certificate issued by the institute.

Ethics and professional responsibility is the backbone of every profession. It guides individual organisations to a higher standard of conduct.

Mr Kawana said: ‘’Today’s programme reflects the dedication of ZIPRC in elevating standards of public relations and communication practice in our country.’’

Government recognises the indispensable role that strategic communication plays in transforming Zambia’s landscape. Communication and PR is not simply a means of information sharing.

Communication is a powerful tool that shapes public perception, fosters understanding, and strengthens the connection between leaders and citizens.

As Zambia strives for sustainable economic growth, effective communication becomes even more essential, enhancing transparency, inspiring confidence, and driving participation across all sectors.

Mr Kawana is aware that ethics in public relations and communication is about adhering to key values such as honesty, openness, loyalty, fairness, integrity and straightforward communication.

However, there are some cases where PR practitioners fail to uphold these principles because they are not part of decision-making processes and therefore, end up ‘’covering up things’’ for organisations.

In other words, they are called upon to repair damages which could have been avoided if they were part and parcel of decision-making.

Mr. Kawana would like PR practitioners and their management teams to consider elevating PR and communication functions and make PR and communication an integral part of their organisations.

Dr Myles Munroe’s 7 principles of the eagle

ONE of seven principles of the eagle by Dr Myles Munroe is the second leadership principle which is the possession of vision.
In the first place, leadership is influencing others to join you in the pursuit of a vision for the future. Without vision, there is no leadership.
But the vision required for effective leadership is not just mere wishes you would like to see come pass. A strong vision is built from a sense of purpose – a need you want to see met, a problem you strongly want to see solved, a reality you feel obligated to create.