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.

6 April '99
Unconfirmed rumours in Harare have suggested that the cholera outbreak spreading from the countryside to the Zimbabwean capital is in fact a new strain of the disease which may cause death within hours if treatment is not sought. Health officials have denied knowledge of the new strain, maintaining that the two pre-established strains are just as lethal. Heavy rains and a breakdown in council services have set up ideal conditions for cholera's spread. Rising groundwater levels are causing sewage pipes and septic tanks to overflow, discharging effluent into the streets, even in the city's swanky northern suburbs.

22 March '99
Zimbabwe has been stripped of the right to host the African Nations Cup of Football in 2000. African football authorities made the decision after the organising committee failed to meet construction and accounting targets. Bids have since been entered by Nigeria, Ghana and Morocco to host the event, with the Nigerians favourite by sheer weight of numbers. Meanwhile, the Zimbabweans are appealing the decision.

22 December '98
The United Nations yesterday lifted a nine-year ban on ivory trading, following requests from Zimbabwe, Namibia and Botswana who claimed they had too many elephants to look after. Other African countries had called on the United Nations to keep the ban in place, believing a lifting of the ban would encourage poaching.

Trade in ivory to Hong Kong, Japan and Taiwan virtually collapsed when the ban was put in place in 1989. Under the agreement signed in Geneva, Namibia and Zimbabwe will send one shipment of stockpiled ivory to Japan. Experts will then assess whether an increase in elephant poaching occurs. Conservationist are fearful of an increase in illegally poached ivory from countries such as Sudan and Kenya. They point out that it's impossible to tell the difference between legally obtained ivory from Zimbabwe or Namibia and illegally obtained ivory from other countries.

25 November '98
The Zimbabwe Confederation of Trade Unions is planning national stop work meetings every Wednesday until the government responds to its demands for higher wages and a reduction in fuel prices. The US Department of State reported that the first national strike day on 11 November was generally peaceful and did not affect tourist areas. However, future strike days may affect public transport and taxis and some hotels and restaurants may be affected. Airport services are not expected to be disrupted.

11 November '98
Recent riots in the capital Harare and in Bulawayo have caused some disruption to services in the two cities. Following an increase in the price of petrol and subsequent public transport increases demonstrators closed off roads and private vehicles were stoned. In Harare the situation remains uncertain although the city centre is quiet with very little traffic. The British Foreign and Commonwealth Office has advised most of the riots took place in industrial areas of Harare and the main tourist areas are not affected.

21 October '98
The Zimbabwean tourist industry will confront President Mugabe on his extravagant habit of using Air Zimbabwe for international travel, disrupting flight schedules and damaging tourism. Mugabe has repeatedly demanded to use Air Zimbabwe planes at short notice, inconveniencing tourists departing for popular destinations like Hwange and Victoria Falls. Domestic flights have been delayed or cancelled without warning, and the tourist industry hopes to convince the president of the error of his ways.

31 April '98
ZimbabweÆs main tourist organization, the Zimbabwe Council for Tourism, has assured potential visitors to the country that Zimbabwe remains a safe tourist destination. The announcement comes after much unrest in other parts of Africa, including the recent bombing of the US embassies in Kenya and Tanzania and the escalating tension and involvement of Zimbabwean troops in the power struggle in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

22 April '98
The number of reported cases of malaria has decreased in Zimbabwe over the past 12 months. The most malaria affected areas in Zimbabwe are Chiredzi, Binga, Mount Darwin, Chipinge and Kariba.