Questions on Mosi-oa-Tunya

From: Jacqui Jansen [mailto:jjansen@legacyhotels.co.za]
Sent: 04 August 2006 10:45 AM
To: 'mwizalodge@zamlet.zm'
Subject: Questions on Mosi-oa-Tunya Hotel
Dear Mr. Sikazwe,
 
I trust this finds you well.
 
Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Jacqui Jansen and I work for Legacy Hotels & Resorts International in South Africa. I manage all the media relations, advertising and promotional aspects of the properties within Legacy’s portfolio.
 
A journalist freelancing for Africa Geographic, contacted me with some sensitive questions relating to the Mosi-oa-Tunya project in Zambia. We would value and appreciate you feedback and comments on these questions put to us by the journalist and the answers (in red) that we have compiled below.
 
1.       As per your verbal confirmation of the telephone, can you confirm in writing that Legacy Hotels & Resorts International, through a subsidiary company Legacy Hotels Zambia Limited (LHZ), is proposing to develop an 18 hole golf course, two hotels, a club house and chalets in the Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park? 
 
To clarify, our telephonic conversation was merely an introduction to one another. I neither confirmed nor denied anything to you telephonically.
 
Legacy Hotels Zambia is a subsidiary of Legacy Group Holdings (PTY) LTD, as is Legacy
Hotels & Resorts International (PTY) LTD.
 
2.       On what grounds does the Legacy group believe such a development is justified?
 
Zambia has much to gain in terms of socio-economic advancement.
 
The project is expected to create 3,000 jobs during construction and 2,500 permanent jobs after.
 
3.       Is the Legacy group aware that this national park is a World Heritage Site and that because of this status, UNESCO, the UN body tasked with managing World Heritage Sites, lays down stipulations and conditions to the way it is managed?
 
The Legacy Group is fully aware that the site, as well as the national park in which this development is proposed is a heritage site. As well as UNESCO’s terms, conditions and policies governing the management of such sites.
 
4.       Did LHZ consult with UNESCO before submitting the plans and what was the response of UNESCO? 
 
Such consultations have not been entered into and will not be initiated until a fully Environmental Impact Assessment has been concluded.
 
5.       Where any other sites considered for your proposed development, and if so, why were these turned down?
 
Not to Legacy Hotels & Resorts International’s knowledge.
 
6.       Has LHZ consulted with local bodies such as the Livingstone City Council and the local office of the Zambian Wildlife Authority (ZAWA) on their proposed plan and what were their responses?  
 
On Thursday 27 July, Legacy Group Holdings signed a Tourism Concession Agreement with ZAWA. Thereafter, Legacy will finalise the EIA which will be submitted to the Environmental Council for approval. Once the EIA has been approved, the next step will be to prepare detailed drawings for submission to the Livingstone City Council.
 
7.       I am led to believe that ZAWA has already signed an agreement with LHZ on leasing land to the company - Is this correct?
 
Yes – pending a few conditions.
 
8.       I am also led to believe that Patson Zulu, Inspectorate Manager for the Environmental Council of Zambia (ECZ) is on record as stating that the EIA tendered by LHZ was rejected and that the company has been asked to resubmit - Is this correct?
 
The Draft EIA for the Legacy project has not been rejected by the Environmental Council of Zambia (ECZ). LHZ has had several meeting with the ECZ who has made comments on the draft EIA document. LHZ will submit the final EIA document which will address the comments from the ECZ together with the comments that will be received from the Stakeholders at the EIA Scoping Meeting that will be held on the 14th of August 2006 in Livingstone. The ECZ can be contacted for confirmation in this regard.
 
 
9.       If your EIA has been rejected, on what grounds does LHZ believe it is correct to go ahead and sign a lease agreement?
 
If the EIA is not successful, the lease agreement will fall away.  
 
10.   Can you confirm that one of LHZ directors is Renatus Mushinge, the brother to the ex-Director General of ZAWA, Tom Mushinge? 
 
Tom Mushinge is the currently a Director with ZAWA and is the Brother to Renatus Mushinge who is one of LHZ Directors. Tom declared interest right at the beginning of the negotiation process and Renatus Mushinge from LHZ was never part of the negotiations of the lease with ZAWA. The LHZ negotiating team was headed by the Chairman of LHZ Mr. JJ Sikazwe and a Team of Lawyers.
 
11.   You indicated to me on the telephone that this development was only proposed for sometime in the distant future - With this in mind, is it true that the foundation laying ceremony has already taken place? 
 
The development is only proposed to begin in 2007 once the EIA has been approved by the Environmental Council of Zambia . The laying of the foundation stone was merely ceremonial to signal the signing of the TCA between LHZ and ZAWA.
 
12.   I have browsed your Company Profile on the website, and find no reference to your outlook on conservation and environmental management. Can you please furnish me with your companies conservation and environmental management outlook or mission statement? 
 
Certain properties within the Legacy Hotels & Resorts International portfolio belong the Heritage Environmental Rating Programme.

Legacy Hotels & Resorts International is committed to ensuring a holistic approach is given to preserving our environment where we operate, combining socio-economic goals and environmental consensus congruously.
 
Legacy Hotels & Resorts International’s subscribes to achieve sound environmental practices across their operations, to comply fully with all environmental legislation, to minimise use of energy, water and materials, to minimize waste and to reduce, re-use and recycle the resources consumed by the business wherever practical, to reduce pollution to a minimum and, where appropriate, to treat effluents, to invite customers, suppliers and contractors to participate in the hotels’ efforts to protect the environment, where possible, to work with others in the tourism industry, in public agencies and the community to achieve wider environmental goals, to provide all employees with the training and resources required to meet their objectives, to openly communicate policies and practices to interested parties, to monitor and record environmental impacts on a regular basis and compare performance with policies, objectives and targets
 
 
 
 
 
 

Many thanks and kind regards

JACQUI JANSEN
Marketing Services Assistant
Legacy Hotels & Resorts International
Legacy House, 5 Autumn Street, Rivonia
PO Box 3410, Rivonia, 2128
Tel: +27 (0) 11 806-6800 Fax: +27 (0) 11 806-6806
Reservations Tollfree (S.A. Only) 0800HOTELS/0800468357
www.legacyhotels.co.za