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| Breath taking - Stone City at the border with Zambia Photo: George Sanzila |
Not too far away a flock of birds hover lazily above the
water, beckoning the rain as schools of fish negotiate the currents of the
great Zambezi. Katima Mulilo is in happy festival.
Aptly named ‘Stone City’ by locals, because of the
fascinating rock formations of the area, this spot has become a magnet for the
residents of the town, as well as visitors, and offers a welcome escape from
the hustle and bustle of life in the town and most importantly is a sanctuary
from the scorching summer heat and oppressive humidity.
For first time visitors, a view of ‘Stone City’, which is
nestled in a lush forest and etched against the choppy and foamy Zambezi River,
can be absolutely breathtaking.
And to accentuate the splendour of this idyllic location the
Zambezi/Sesheke Bridge hovers majestically over the river only a few metres
away.
The only drawback is that there are no ablution facilities
or parking. Perhaps it is time for the town council to pay a little more
attention to ‘Stone City’, which is undoubtedly a great recreational site.
Failure to do that will only lead to degradation. Already pollution is a big
problem.
Fortunately the chief executive officer of Katima Mulilo
Town Council, Charles Nawa, says the town council has already embarked on a
de-bushing exercise aimed at improving the site.
The reputation of ‘Stone City’ has even crossed the
boundaries of the country and today it attracts visitors from as far as
Botswana and Zambia for the sole purpose of recreation. The area, considered
somewhat of a frontier between Namibia and Zambia, lies very close to both the
Wenela border border post and the Zambezi/Sesheke bridge on the outskirts of
Katima Mulilo. At night, when the bridge is fully illuminated, the reflection
of the giant structure in the water is astounding.
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