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A short history of Zambia
Zambia was first colonized by the British South African Company in 1889, although it was not until 1924, when the company ceded administrative control to the British Crown (whereupon it became the colony of Northern Rhodesia), that serious exploitation of the country’s main natural resource, copper, began.
From 1953 to 1963, the country found itself forming the northern part of the Central African Federation, essentially a pale form of apartheid, which enjoyed no support whatsoever among the black population.
The colonial authorities ceded independence in 1964. The pre-independence elections were won by Kaunda's United National Independence Party. The country soon became involved in the war in Southern Rhodesia.
Kaunda closed Zambia’s southern border and gave safe haven to cadres from Joshua Nkomo’s ZAPU party and its associated guerrilla army, ZIPRA. Relations with the Zimbabweans have naturally improved since that country became independent in 1980 and Kaunda’s foreign policy focused elsewhere.
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Kaunda subsequently became a major regional statesman. He played a major part in the initiatives leading to independence in Namibia and South Africa and, in the 1990s, chaired both the Organization of African Unity and the ‘front-line’ group of Southern African states confronting the South African apartheid regime. He was also involved in the political settlement in Angola. Kaunda’s forays abroad tended to lead to neglect of Zambia’s domestic agenda.
Zambia was a one-party state from 1973 until 1991. During 1990, domestic unrest sparked off by price rises developed into demands for a more democratic system of government. Kaunda promised a national referendum on the issue but postponed it after further disturbances in July 1990. The principal opposition to the disintegrating UNIP was the Movement for Multi-party Democracy (MMD), led by Frederick Chiluba, chair of the Zambian Council of Trades Unions, the focus of much opposition activity under the one-party state. The election took place on 1 October 1991 and gave Chiluba a substantial majority.
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Health Warnings Yellow fever: A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required from travellers over 1 year of age coming from infected areas. Malaria: Malaria risk: predominantly due to P. falciparum - exists throughout the year in the whole country. P. falciparum resistant to chloroquine and sulfadoxine - pyrimethamine reported. Recommended prophylaxis: mefloquine. It is recommended that visitors take precautions against typhoid, bilharzia, hepatitis and cholera in particular. AIDS/HIV is prevalent. Diseases caused by unsanitary conditions are common throughout the country, and untreated water should be considered unsafe to drink. Hospital facilities are generally poor and outside the major cities of Maputo and Beira medical facilities are limited. Comprehensive medical insurance is essential and it is recommended that visitors carry personal medical supplies with them
CURRENCY AND CLIMATE: Currency: ZMK Climate: Zambia is warm all year round, but has three distinct seasons. Between December and April the weather is hot and wet; from May to August it is cooler and dry; between September and November conditions are hot and dry. Average summer temperatures range between 77°F to 95°F (25°C to 35°C), while in winter the variation increases ranging from 43°F to 75°F (6°C to 24°C). |
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