Zambia Zimbabwe Relations

Zambia Zimbabwe relations have been generally very strong for many years since the independence of Zimbabwe in 1980 from colonial Britain. Zambia is Zimbabwe's northern neighbour. Zambia and Zimbabwe used to be known as northern and southern Rhodesia during the years of colonisation in the 60s.

Zambia gave ongoing refuge in form of exile and armed training to Zimbabwe's liberation fighters such as Herbert Chitepo and many others. The history of Zimbabwe is intricately linked to that of Zambia.

The two countries are linked to each other at two official physical boarder points namely Chirundu and Victoria Falls. At Chirundu boarder post close to Kariba Town, Zambia and Zimbabwe in 2009 launched a one stop boarder post the first in southern Africa. The special boarder was officially opened by the Presidents of the two countries Dr Rupiya Banda and President Robert Mugabe.

Dr Banda of Zambia replaced Mr Levy Mwanawasa who died in 2008 who was openly critical of Robert Mugabe over Zimbabwe problems. In the region of southern Africa. Botswana is more critical of the government of Zimbabwe.

Zambia Zimbabwe relations have remained prosperous despite open capitalisation of Zambia in the tourist sector over the problems of the Zimbabwe economy. For instance Zambia increasingly promoted Victoria Falls to ignorant international especially western tourists as a solely Zambian destination. In actual fact the Victoria Falls is best viewed from the Zimbabwean side even though both countries share the spectecular falls.

This marketing strategy has also been extensively used by South African hospitality operators to the general detriment of Zimbabwe's tourism sector.

Many Zimbabweans who escaped the troubles in Harare found greener pastures in Zambia's economy which overall has grown much more than Zimbabwe's between 2000 and 2010. Travelling between Zambia and Zimbabwe is possible by road and by air. Air Zimbabwe flies to Zambia frequently each week. Before the collapse of Zambian Airways, it also used to fly to Harare on a regular basis.

It is also possible to fly to Zambia by air via Johannesburg even though the trip takes longer and is more expensive than a direct flight from Harare to Lusaka, Zambia's capital. No visas are required to travel to Zimbabwe or to Zambia by passport holders of any of the two countries.

Tourist visitors to Zambia are now also exploring places in Zimbabwe such as Kariba, the Victoria Falls and even Nyanga and Masvingo in central Zimbabwe.

Zambia Zimbabwe relations are also founded in the common interest they hold in the Lake Kariba hydro electricity generation project. Built in the 1960s Lake Kariba generates electricity for both Zambia and Zimbabwe with the bulk of the energy generated going to Zimbabwe. Zambia imports most of its power needs from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) which is said to have a potential to power the entire Africa continent.

Submission by anonymous blog reader:  Zambia generates most of its own power needs. Zambia's biggest power station is Kafue gorge power station. This station generates 990MW. The others are Victoria Falls station 108Mw. Mita Dam 38MW Lusitu 20MW, Lusiwasi 12MW and Kariba North Bank 540 MW (currently been upgraded from 720MW to 1080MW) The upgrade will be completed in 2012. Three other projects are expected to kick off later this year. These are Kafue Lower 600MW, Itezhi Tezhi 120MW and Kabompo 34MW. The imports from Congo are really done for the benefit of Zimbabwe and South Africa since Zambia supplies power to both these countries. From 6PM when the Zambian mines cease operating about 600MW is exported.

Do you have an experience to share on Zambia Zimbabwe Relations? Submit your experience below