More than 3,000 people braved the bitter cold winds in Zambia's
tourist capital and home of the Victoria Falls, Livingstone, to attend the HIV/AIDS Benefit Concert
at Zambezi Sun Hotel on June 16.
The concert featured some of Zambia's popular musicians -
The Amayenge Cultural Ensemble, Danny, K'million, and MC Wabwino.
US Ambassador to Zambia, Carmen Martinez and Zambia's first
republican president, Dr Kenneth Kaunda attended the concert. The Musicians incorporated HIV/AIDS
messages in their performance and VCT services were available during the concert. The concert is
one of various activities being undertaken by the Tourism HIV/AIDS Partnership to increase social
mobilization for HIV/AIDS in the Livingstone area.
During the two weeks leading up to the HIV/AIDS Concert, Zambian
musical celebrities joined forces with HIV/AIDS implementing organizations to conduct HIV/AIDS
sensitization activities through radio, drama, and mobile video shows, distribute print materials
and provide static and mobile services for Voluntary Counseling and Testing (VCT) in selected
communities in Livingstone.
His Royal Highness Chief Mukuni of the Toka-Leya, top government
officials, representatives from the National Aids Council, the Provincial and District Health Management
Board senior government officials, and representatives of key tourism operators in Livingstone attended
the concert.
The Livingstone Tourism HIV/AIDS Partnership seeks to establish
and enhance HIV/AIDS workplace and community-based programs with joint support from the private
tourism businesses and government agencies in Livingstone. The HIV/AIDS activities are being
implemented in coordination with the Ministry of Tourism, Zambia Wildlife Association, Provincial
HIV/AIDS Task Force for the Southern Province, District HIV/AIDS Task Forces, civil society, and
U.S. Government.
In 2006, the United States Agency for International Development (
USAID) with funding from the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), through its
partner project Support to the HIV/AIDS Response in Zambia (SHARe), initiated the Tourism HIV/AIDS
Partnership with key tourism businesses in Livingstone. The Partners include the Ministry of
Tourism, the Zambian Wildlife Authority, Sun Hotels International, Bushtracks Africa, The River
Club, Tongabezi, Kubu Crafts, Livingstone Adventures, Wasawange, Sussi & Chuma, and Islands of
Siankaba.
The Tourism HIV/AIDS Partnership is an innovative initiative
targeted at addressing HIV/AIDS in Livingstone, which has one of the highest prevalence rates in
Zambia and is a major tourist attraction. Residents and mobile populations in the area are at
high risk of HIV.
Proceeds from the concert will be channeled to various community-based
HIV/AIDS interventions through the Sun Hotel's grants program.
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| MC Wabwino entertains the crowd during the HIV/AIDS Benefit Concert. Photo: USAID/Zambia. |
She said the United States must continue working with African
people to eradicate malaria. "We have done it in the USA. Many people may not recall that not so
long ago, we had malaria in the USA but it is now gone," she said. She is optimistic that the
battle against malaria will be won. "Just imagine what a lot of difference it would make if there
was no malaria in Africa," she said, amid applause.
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