Q FM Africa's Modern Radio
Chief Mukuni
Chief Mukuni of the Toka Leya people of Southern Province has been honored by the African World Heritage Fund (AWHF) for his commitment to the aspirations of the World Heritage Convention.
This recognition and award was made during the 39th Session of the World Heritage Committee currently under way in Bonn Germany.
Speaking during the award giving ceremony held at the Bonn International Conference Centre, Patron of the AWHF Madam Christine Comeron paid tribute to His Royal Highness for supporting World Heritage conservation by granting land currently being used for alternative means of livelihood for curio traders at the Victoria Falls World Heritage site.
Ms. Comeron called on African countries to ensure local communities benefit from conservation efforts at world heritage properties.
Speaking earlier Site Manager John Zulu told the gathering that the Lwambe Agribusiness Project is meant to be an alternative to curio trading as this activity although desirable may contribute to deforestation in the long term.
The Executive Director of the National Heritage Conservation Commission Collins Chipote received the award on behalf of His Royal Highness.
The ceremony was attended by culture and wildlife ministers drawn from Angola, Cameroun, Senegal and South Africa and the Deputy Director General UNESCO (culture) and the director of the International Centre for the Preservation and Restoration of Cultural Property (ICCROM).