AFRICA
Luanshya is, a town and district in Zambia’s Copper Belt Province, known for its mining history and often called the “garden town” for its parks and gardens. Founded in the early 20th century after a prospector discovered copper while hunting, it was the site of the Roan Antelope Copper Mines Ltd.. The town’s name is derived from the Luanshya River, and it serves as a center for industries beyond copper, including steel production and factories.
2016, I arrived in Luanshya via Johannesburg, South Africa.
According to the 2022 South African National Census, the population of Johannesburg is 4,803,262 people,[86] making it the most populous city in South Africa (it has been the most populous city in South Africa since at least the 1950s).[87][88] From the 2001 census, the people live in 1,006,930 formal households, of which 86% have a flush or chemical toilet, and 91% have refuse removed by the municipality at least once a week. 81% of households have access to running water, and 80% use electricity as the main source of energy. 29% of Johannesburg residents stay in informal dwellings.[89] 66% of households are headed by one person.
Then, a short hop to Lusaka, capitol of Zambia.
Lusaka (/luːˈsɑːkə/ loo-SAH-kə) is the capital and largest city of Zambia. It is one of the fastest-developing cities in southern Africa.[7] Lusaka is in the southern part of the central plateau at an elevation of about 1,279 metres (4,196 ft). As of 2019, the city’s population was about 3.3 million, while the urban population is estimated at 2.5 million in 2018.[8] Lusaka is the centre of both commerce and government in Zambia and connects to the country’s four main highways heading north, south, east, and west. English is the official language of the city administration, while Bemba, Tonga and Nyanja are the commonly-spoken street languages.
The final leg of my new journey is Luanshya.
Luanshya, municipality, north-central Zambia, south-central Africa. Known as “the garden town of the copper belt,” Luanshya is the service centre for the adjacent Roan Antelope mine. The terminus of a rail branch from Ndola (21 miles [34 km] northeast), Luanshya is also connected by road to other copper-belt towns and has an airfield. Besides copper mining, industry includes steel production, general machine shops, and a variety of factories. Pop. (2000) 115,579; (2010 prelim.) 120,000.
Met at the airport by an online acquaintance and her friend, we left the airport and headed to town to find a restaurant to enjoy a meal and liquid refreshment.
An exchange of small talk, a decent meal, and two or three beers, the three of us were sated, in a pleasant mood, ready for the ride to the compound where I will be staying for nine month with my new companion.
Charity was widowed. Her deceased husband had been a British trucker and transported copper from the mines to various destinations inside and outside of Zambia during the boom days. They had build a compound wall surrounding a motel, restaurant, swimming pool, and tropical gardens.
Her teenage daughter went to school in Kitwe, 32 miles from Luanshya, and we would go there on Friday evenings during school months to retrieve her. She stayed with a British couple whom Charity considered her family – mother, father. Before beginning our return trip, we would stop at a bar and/or restaurant to enjoy a bite to eat and wet our whistle.
One eventful trip produced the following experience.
Weaving in and out of traffic, rush hour, around barriers installed to allow new road construction, finally we reached our destination chosen by Charity.
A left turn and we are in the parking lot of a large bar. I always had a couple of brews before we set out earnestly to return home.
One of the most popular and favourite beers in Zambia, Mosi Lager is named after the local name for Victoria Falls, Mosi Oa Tunya (“The Smoke that Thunders”). This well-balanced bottled beer offers a refreshing, crisp taste, and this local beer is perfect after a hot day exploring Zambia’s natural wonders
A stab in the dark, I am guessing that the length and width of the bar are approximately 100 ft in length and maybe, 50 feet wide. We chose a seat near the front facing the mixing station, a full view of all liquors displayed on the backbar, waiter station and assorted African memorabilia.
Squarely in the center of the wall above back bar was one of the most stunning paintings I had yet to see.
Maybe 10 x 10 feet. Justice is not done to tell you just how impressive and overpowering is this painting. I was sitting too far away to capture the true size.
The owner of the bar was sitting in the back of the establishment talking with patrons or friends. The bartender pointed him out to me upon request. Upon reaching him, introducing myself, some small talk, and I asked him about the Elephant in the room.
He informed me this was actually the second rendition of the painting as the original had been stolen a few years earlier. Interested in its value, I asked what it would take to purchase it from him? $5,000.00 had been an offer earlier refused. Again, an offer by myself to match the previous number. Refused.
Often wondered what I would have done with the painting if he had accepted.