Elefest 2016

Mokoomba announced as headline act!

14 May, Lusaka Showgrounds

#OurZambiaOurWildlife #ZambiaYanguVinyamaVatu

On 14 May, the herds will gather at the Lusaka Showgrounds to celebrate wildlife conservation in Zambia.  After the success of last year’s first EleFest, the 2016 festival line-up has expanded with exciting new international acts, including Mokoomba, an acclaimed Zimbabwean Afropop band currently touring the US. Mokoomba will share the stage with several household names of Zambian afrojazz and soul who are trumpeting their support for the conservation of Zambia’s wildlife including Maureen Lilanda, James Sakala and the Elect Band, Wezi Heartsound, Mumba Yachi and Kapiri Mposhi 4.0.

These ele-gends of the Zambian music scene are currently working on a surprise collaboration about our wonderful wildlife. All epic talents in their own right, never before have they sung together and all the more reason for this important cause of highlighting conservation in Zambia. A video will be shot on location in Zambia’s breathtaking wilderness of the collaborators performing their inspiring song together. Watch out for this spine-tingler live on stage at the EleFest!

As well as music, EleFest will host entertaining and informative installations about wildlife wonders and the work being done to protect it. Festival goers can bring the kids along to the “Where the Wild Things Are” corner as well as sample the local food and drink!

Why EleFest? What’s the cause?

Our Wildlife

The Elephant population of Zambia is one of the most significant in Africa but their numbers are declining rapidly. Experts have reported that 100 elephants are being killed every day in Africa. Elephants are killed for their ivory tusks, which are used for ornaments and medicine mostly in Asia. It is illegal to be involved in elephant poaching or trafficking in Zambia. If they are found guilty, elephant poachers can go to prison, for 5 to 20 years.

As well as elephants, Zambia is also home to the most trafficked animal on the planet: the pangolin. It is illegal to capture or sell these animals and people found guilty of this offence can go to jail for 5 years. Our pangolin population is at threat. If you see anyone selling a pangolin, you should report it immediately to Department of National Parks and Wildlife (DNPW).

Our Zambia

Our wildlife in Zambia lives primarily in protected areas. Almost 40% of Zambia is made up of National Parks and other protected areas. Kafue National Park is the second largest National Park in Africa. Slightly smaller but well-reputed, Lower Zambezi and South Luangwa National Park attract thousands of visitors from all over the globe to see the exquisite and rare biodiversity that lives there. Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park is home to the Victoria Falls, the seventh natural wonder of the world. The tourism industry employs more than 80,000 people and contributes more than K9.2 billion to Zambia’s economy every year. There is a huge growth potential for this industry especially as it doesn’t rely directly on rain or copper prices. Have you visited our National Parks in Zambia? They are on our doorstep, make a plan!

EleFest supporters WWF Zambia have been working to support Zambia’s wildlife for over 50 years. The Lusaka office is located at Longacres Roundabout. WWF Zambia is involved in several different conservation projects in Zambia focusing on Species (Rhinos, Elephants and Wild Dogs), freshwater, forestry, climate change, energy, Community Based natural Resource Management (CBNRM) and policy. This work is done through partnerships with government institutions, conservation organisations, private companies and many other partnerships. WWF Zambia concentrates in the following priority landscapes Kavango Zambezi including the Kafue National Park, Upper Zambezi including the Barotse Floodplains, Liuwa Plains National Park and the source of the Zambezi, Luangwa-Lower Zambezi including the South Luangwa and Lower Zambezi National Parks and their associated rivers as well as the Bangweulu Swamps and Kafue Flats.

The Department of National Parks and Wildlife under the Ministry of Tourism and Arts (previously known as ZAWA) carries out conservation efforts in Zambia with the support of many organisations including WWF Zambia. At the beginning of 2016, ZAWA moved back into GRZ under the Ministry of Tourism and Arts as a result of the Government’s dedication to conservation. If you see any wildlife trafficking or suspect illegal bushmeat trading or consumption you can report it immediately to DNPW’s Intelligence and Investigations Unit in Chilanga. DNPW have a good informer network. Join them to make a difference.

EleFest 2016 is supported primarily by WWF Zambia and Game Rangers International as well as many other organisations and people including Mojo, Benson Sound, A Jackson Design, Ad-dicts, Events Hire, Tanuger Travels, The Art Shop Limited and ProSigns Zambia.

To find out more join the EleFest 2016 event on facebook, twitter and instagram.

Doors open at midday on Saturday 14 May at the Lusaka Gymkhana Club. Tickets will be on sale from 14 April at the Four Seasons Bistro and the Lusaka Gymkhana Club. Pre-sale: K100. On the door: K150. Children under 12: Free.

Listen to the song ‘Our Zambia Our Wildlife’ on Soundcloud here