travel news review


14 May '99
A leading specialist in epidemic diseases has warned that the spread of AIDS in southern African countries is out of control. According to Dr Bernhard Schwartlaender of the United Nations Agency for AIDS (UNAIDS) more than a quarter of the adult populations of Botswana, Namibia, Swaziland and Zimbabwe are infected with the HIV virus, the precursor to full-blown AIDS.

Zimbabwe has the highest proportion of infections in the world. In urban areas, the infection rate is about 40%, and up to 80% in the army. The country's per capita health budget affords an AIDS victim about five and a half hours worth of modern drugs per year. As there is typically a dormant period of six or seven years, death rates are only now beginning to reflect the rate of infection, with profound social consequences: families lose breadwinners, children are orphaned or skip school to care for parents, work absenteeism skyrockets, and the financial sector faces huge insurance payouts. UNAIDS has announced a 100 million scheme to combat the crisis.

18 February '98
On the shores of the Jozini Dam, near Pongola, a massive tourist complex is now planned, aimed at South African tourists. The Lavumisa Pongola complex will receive R60 million from the Swazi government, and will be accessible by boat from Kwa Zulu/Natal. Features will include water-theme facilities, an international golf course and a floating restaurant. The development is managed by a Lubombo Spatial Development Committee, in an attempt to secure tourist interest in the area.