540 Magazine - Issue 1

Theatre of dreams: ISSUE 01 // MAY - JULY 2011

A pilgrim’s journey to the hallowed ground

Mwanza:

Rock city rocks the conference tourism boat

Diani: Lazing on

a Sunday afternoon

Billionaire’s Playground FLAVIO BRIATORE TO CREATE FABULOUS NEW RESORT

WITH THE COMPLIMENTS OF FLY540 - AFRICA’S LOW COST AIRLINE

// 540 Issue 01 // May - July 2011

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Contents

AFRICA’S L

540 magazine

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welcome aboard

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a warm welcome to our high-flying readers

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Travel information for east africa

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getting around in east africa

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The 540 network Location and flight maps

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540 news The latest news from the 540 family

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Billionaire’s playground Flamboyant Flavio Briatore creates fabulous new resort

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mitumba A blessing in disguise

26 is published by

LAND & MARINE PUBLICATIONS (KENYA) LTD Suite A6, 1st Floor, Ojijo Plaza Plums Lane, off Ojijo Road, Parklands PO Box 2022, Village Market 00621, Nairobi, Kenya Tel: +254 (0)20 374 1934 Email: publishing@landmarine.com www.landmarine.com

Rock City rocks the conference tourism boat

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fly540 fleet

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Diani Lazing on a Sunday afternoon

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Riverside Green Suites, Palm Suite, Riverside Drive PO Box 10293-00100, Nairobi, Kenya Tel: +254 (0)20 445 2391/2/3/4/5 Email info@fly540.com www.fly540.com The opinions expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of the editor, or any other organisation associated with this publication.

No liability can be accepted for any inaccuracies or omissions.

musical tree Community rallies round to preserve the world’s most expensive tree

on behalf of

FLY540

mwanza

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Theatre of dreams A pilgrim’s journey to the hallowed ground

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Deep-sea fishing Kenya presents the ultimate sport fishing challenge

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Contact information

©2011 Land & Marine Publications (Kenya) Ltd

Africa’s low cost airline

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// Foreword

Welcome

aboard!

This is ‘540’ – our new in-flight magazine

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ur new magazine coincides with the introduction in May of Fly540’s six-times-aweek service from Nairobi (JKIA) to Juba in Southern Sudan’s. We view Juba as a vitally important new destination for our expanding international network and just ahead of the new nation’s birth in July.

Juba follows the domestic introduction of our three-times-weekly Vipingo route, which operates from Nairobi Wilson Airport and continues on to Malindi.

Vipingo opens up a new market for those living travelling to and from Kilifi and Mombasa’s north coast. Earlier in the first quarter, we added Nairobi Wilson to Meru; offering a three-timesweekly frequency.

Looking ahead, we are set to welcome the delivery of two additional Bombardier

CRJ-200 aircraft. These 50-seat jets will be used to support our recent expansion to Southern Sudan and also in Tanzania – another fast-growing market for Fly540.

Development After a period of rapid development and noting high aviation fuel prices, I believe that second quarter 2011 will be a time of consolidation for Fly540. Nevertheless, our medium-terms plans are unchanged as we eye exciting new markets in Zambia, Ghana, the DRC, Sudan and Egypt.

Our key objectives are to provide top-quality service and value for money which we have achieved while posting an impressive 92 per cent on-time performance – a figure we aim to improve further.

As a responsible airline we believe we must make a concerted effort to offset

our carbon emissions and I am delighted with the work we have done in terms of planting 10,000 saplings in the Ngong Hills (near Nairobi) and a further 1,000 in Kenya’s Mau Forest. We were also one of the sponsors of the recent “10 to 4” event (a bike ride down the slopes of Mount Kenya) in aid of the Mount Kenya Trust.

So I very much hope you like our new magazine and enjoy your flight with us today. We look forward to welcoming you on board again sometime soon.

Don E. Smith Chief Executive Officer East Africa

Africa’s low cost airline

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// Welcome

A warm welcome to our

high-flying readers

W

elcome to the first edition of “540” – the in-flight magazine of Africa’s fastest growing airline, Fly540.

The initial idea of an in-flight magazine for Fly540 has been under discussion since October 2010 and now I am delighted to confirm that the project is a reality.

Initially, “540” will be published quarterly, but both Fly540 and the publishers, Land & Marine Publications (Kenya), hope to step up the frequency at some future date after the magazine has established itself as part of the carrier’s on-board experience.

As a successful short-haul, no-frills operator, Fly540 does not provide in-flight entertainment – just great destinations at great prices – so each new issue of the magazine is likely to be eagerly anticipated by passengers.

“540” editor Denis Gathanju brings a wealth of journalistic experience to the

magazine. Some of his recent travels and exploits are included in this first issue, including April’s once-in-a-lifetime trip to a packed Old Trafford to watch his favourite football team, Manchester United, play an English Premier League match against Fulham.

Denis has also been to Mwanza to see how the Rock City rocks as well as deepsea fishing off the Kenyan coast.

We hope you enjoy reading “540” and we welcome any comments from passengers about the contents of current and future editions of the magazine.

So sit back and let Fly540 take good care of you.

Gary Gimson Managing Director Land & Marine Publications (Kenya) Ltd Email: garygimson@landmarine.com

Africa’s low cost airline

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Information //

FLY540

FLY540 VISA

Travel information for East Africa ORMATIO F N IN

Visa information Most nationals require visas to enter East Africa. Citizens from the five East African states require no visas while those from the Common Market of East and Southern Africa (COMESA) member states have relaxed entry requirements into East Africa.

However, East African member states have their own visa requirements for various nationals.

Tanzanian visas All foreigners from non-Commonwealth countries are required to have a valid visa unless their countries have agreements with Tanzania under which the visa requirement is waived.

Exemptions: Citizens of Commonwealth countries are not required to obtain visas unless they are citizens of the United Kingdom, Canada, Nigeria, India, Pakistan, South Africa, New Zealand or Australia.

Visa-issuing Stations and Authorities Tanzanian visas are issued by the following: • The office of the Director of Immigration Services, Dar es Salaam, and the office of the Principal Immigration Officer, Zanzibar.

• Entry points to the United Republic of Tanzania: principally Namanga, Tunduma, Sirari, Horohoro, Kigoma Port, Dar es Salaam International Airport, Kilimanjaro International Airport, Zanzibar Harbour and Zanzibar Airport.

• Any other gazetted entry point.

• From Tanzania High Commissions or embassies abroad. For more information on Tanzanian diplomatic missions visit: www.tanzania.go.tz/tanzaniaembassiesabroad.htm

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Ugandan visas The easiest way of getting a visa to Uganda is by purchasing it at the entry point, Entebbe Airport or any border station. This is very possible for tourists coming into Uganda. All you need to do is pay US$ 50, fill in the application form with passport dates and information. The visa issued is valid for 90 days.

You can also get a visa by applying online if you a citizen of the following countries: USA, UK, South Africa, Russia, Japan, Italy, India, Germany, France, Denmark, China, Canada, and Belgium. All you need to do is to download the application from the embassy website of your country of origin.

Kenyan visas Visas are required for most nationals and cost US$50. A visa can be obtained on entry, however we recommended one be obtained before arrival to avoid airport lengthy queues. Visa application forms are available online.

A visa is required by all visitors travelling to Kenya with the exception of those holding a re-entry pass to Kenya and citizens of Ethiopia, San Marino, Turkey and Uruguay.

Note that the reciprocal visa abolition agreements with Germany, Italy, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Spain, and Republic of Ireland no longer apply and nationals of these countries now require a visa.

KenYa Visa reQuiremenTs • Valid passport with suffi cient number of unused pages for endorsements abroad. Passport must be signed and valid for at least six months.

• A self-addressed stamped envelope for express mail, courier, registered mail, etc., if the visa is urgently required. Metered stamps are not acceptable.

• Home and work telephone numbers.

Please fill out the form correctly and enclose the photographs and payment to avoid delay and disappointment.

Standard visa fees payable by cash to the Embassy of Kenya.

VISA FEES CHARGES:

Multiple entry: $50 Single entry: $25, or £20, €20 Transit Visa: $10, or £10, €10 1. Please note that all children below 16 years are not charged visa fees 2. The reduced visa fees were effected on 11 March 2009, as directive from Ministry of Tourism on attracting more tourists in to the country.

• Visa application form duly completed and signed by the applicant.

3. Passengers can pay in US dollar, British pounds, Euro or Swiss franc.

• Two recent passport size photographs attached to the application form.

For more information and to download a Kenya visa application form visit: http://www.immigration.go.ke/index.php

CINATION C I A

Vaccination requirements for international travellers

ORMATION NF

health

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• Valid round trip ticket or a letter from your travel agent certifying that the applicant holds prepaid arrangements.

• No cholera vaccination certifi cates are required of travellers coming from all over the world.

• Only valid yellow fever vaccination certifi cates are required of all travellers over one year old, arriving from yellow fever infected countries mainly in central and West Africa, South and Central America, South East Asia, India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh.

• Vaccination for international travellers are obtainable from all international air and sea ports, city and major municipal councils NB: Make sure you get your yellow fever shot in good time since the yellow fever certificate is valid for travel use 10 days after vaccination.

Africa’s low cost airline

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Information //

flY540

GeTTinG around in easT africa

By bus Kenya has a network of long distance bus lines. Speed is limited to 80 km/h. Local buses in town are run by private companies, such as the green and yellow Citi Hoppa, which provide transportation for an inexpensive fee (usually around US$ 0.66). They have regular services in and out of the Nairobi city suburbs. They usually seat 20-35 passengers (no standing passengers allowed by law) and are a cleaner and less hectic mode of transport than matatus, while still plying many of the same routes.

By 4x4 & rental car You can hire a 4x4 and drive through Kenya, though you need to be proficient at handling such a vehicle.

Most worldwide rental agencies have offices in Nairobi and Mombasa. They offer affordable and reliable cars with a full back-up network. Visitors can also rent cheaper cars from local distributors who are mostly reliable. There are also car rental agencies in Kampala and Dar es Salaam.

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By train The Kenya-Uganda railway starts in Mombasa and travels via Nairobi to Kampala, Uganda. This is the famous ‘Lunatic Express’ and was also featured in the Michael Douglas film ‘The Ghost and the Darkness.’

By matatu Matatus are privately operated minibuses, typically for 14 or 25 passengers and operating over short and medium distances. Previously matatus were usually packed to well over capacity – up to 25 people in a 14-seater vehicle – but in recent years there has been increased government regulation and policing of matatus, especially in the larger cities, and now most matatus provide seatbelts and do not exceed the vehicle’s stated capacity.

Matatus provide a very cheap and quick method of transport in all the major towns and many rural areas.

The name matatu hails from the Kiswahili word for the number three – tatu – because some time ago the standard fare was three ten-cent coins.

Matatus have a yellow strip that runs around the vehicle with route numbers it plies.

In Tanzania, public minivans are known as daladala.

Unlike in Nairobi, the daladalas in Dar es Salaam are packed and normally exceed their carrying capacity especially in the morning and afternoon rush hours.

However, they have the route fares emblazoned on their side and it makes it easier for visitors to the city not to be overcharged.

Also popular in the city are three-wheeler motorcycles known as bajaji. In Kenya, they are known as tuk tuks and are popular in the resort cities of Mombasa and Malindi.

In Kampala, the motorcycle taxis, known as boda boda are the most popular mode of transport. They are not only cheap, but are handy when you want to beat the heavy traffic in Kampala during rush hours.

hand-held luggage The following may be carried in your hand luggage only if they are stored in containers up to 100 mls and placed in a transparent re-sealable plastic bag and thereafter shall be screened separately from other items carried in the hand luggage. The capacity of the transparent plastic bag must not be greater than 1 litre.

Liquids gels and aerosols include: • Water and other drinks.

• Syrups • Creams, lotions and oils • Perfumes and sprays • Gels including hair and shower gels • Pastes including, vaseline and eye shadow

• Pressurised containers such as shaving foam and deodorants • Other items with similar consistency The following items are allowed in hand luggage: • Medicine needed during the flight • Baby food needed during the flight You may buy any liquids beyond the security check points including the Duty Free items or in-flight. Items purchased must be packed in security tamper evident bags and accompanied by proof of purchase upon presenting them at the security check point.

NOTE: Kenya Airports Authority implements all ICAO Standards and recommended practices on liquids, aerosols and gels.

Africa’s low cost airline

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Network //

S

THE FLY540

NETWORK

oVer 30 DesTinaTions ThroughouT easT afriCa

AFRICA’S

COST AI W R O

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wiTh more Coming VerY soon

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f . w ww

afriC a

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SOUTHERN SUDAN JUBA

LODWAR

UGANDA

KITALE KAKAMEGA

KENYA

ELDORET NANYUKI

ENTEBBE

SAMBURU MERU

KISUMU

NAIROBI MASAI MARA GURUMETI MWANZA SERENORA

KILIMANJARO

MANYARA BUJUMBURA

LAMU

AMBOSELI

ARUSHA

MALINDI VIPINGO MOMBASA UKUNDA

TANZANIA DAR ES SALAAM

ZANZIBAR

MTWARA

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News //

FLY540 NEWS

540 Group now operating flights in Angola

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he new airline 540 Aviation SARL has been licensed and authorised by the Angolan authorities to operate scheduled domestic and international flights and is already providing internal services from bases in Luanda and Cabinda.

Operating a fleet of modern twin turboprop aircraft, including a new 70-seat ATR 72-500, this company is the latest venture to be launched under the 540 brand, which was introduced in Kenya in November 2006. In May this year, 540 Aviation SARL will take delivery of its first regional jet and expects to be offering flights to 10 domestic and two international destinations within the next 12 to 15 months.

As with partner organisations in Tanzania and Uganda, 540 Aviation SARL benefits from brand management and strategic and operational direction from 540 Africa.

The Angolan management team reports to the Angolan board, working in tandem with the 540 Africa executive team.

Tracing the history of 540 Aviation Ltd, Neil Steffen, who is extending the 540 Africa initiative beyond East Africa, said: “We began in 2006 as a customeroriented, Kenyan start-up airline with modest ambitions to deliver affordable and reliable air services across East Africa from the Nairobi hub. Market response has been outstanding, to the extent that 540 Tanzania and 540 Uganda are now operating in their own right, growing the network to more than 20 destinations across the region.”

Looking to the future, Mr Steffen said: “Our objective is to become a panAfrican airline group and we expect a further two independent airline companies from elsewhere in Africa to operate under the 540 brand within the next nine months. We’re also planning additional

Our objective is to become a pan-African airline group and we expect a further two independent airline companies from elsewhere in Africa to operate under the 540 brand within the next nine months jet flights from our Nairobi base, building and expanding our East African regional presence.”

Flights to Juba

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egional carrier Fly540 has commenced flights to the Southern Sudanese capital of Juba from its hub at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport.

The airline will operate six flights a week between Nairobi and Juba. According to the airline, the route will be served by a 50-seater twin jet engine.

Fly540 joins other airlines on the route which continues to experience phenomenal growth buoyed by new investment opportunities in Southern Sudan. The flights come a few months after citizens of Southern Sudan voted overwhelmingly to secede from the north and establish a new state in the south.

“Entrepreneurs and investors are turning to the southern Sudan and there are growing trade links with

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Kenya driving demand for more flights between the two cities,” said Nixon Ooko, Fly540 operations director during the inaugural flight.

Juba marks the sixth destination for the growing carrier in the region. From Nairobi, Fly540 operates flights to Bujumbura, Dar es Salaam, Entebbe, Kilimanjaro and Mwanza.

Boost for domestic capacity as 50-seat jets enter service Fly540 has increased capacity on its Mombasa and Kisumu routes from Nairobi by investing in two 50-seat jet aircraft

T

he fast-expanding regional airline Fly540 celebrated the New Year with the acquisition of two 50-seat Bombardier CRJ100 jet aircraft, bringing the total size of its fleet to three.

These jets have been deployed on the Nairobi to Mombasa and Kisumu routes, thus strengthening the airline’s domestic services. Fly540 operates two daily flights from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) to each of the two cities.

Expansion Nixon Ooko, operations director at Fly540, said: “This has increased the capacity on the services from Nairobi to Mombasa and Kisumu because the CRJ has 50 seats compared with 37 in a Dash 8 aircraft. With a range of 1,815 km, the CRJ aircraft will be the mainstay of the airline’s expansion drive.”

Fly540 is offering special weekend return fares starting from KES 7,540 on the Nairobi to Kisumu route. This has been very popular with our passengers and using the CRJ aircraft on this destination was driven by the need to increase seats for business and leisure visitors to Kisumu.”

“Last year we successfully introduced daily return services from JKIA to Ukunda, Diani. The airline also started daily return flights from Wilson Airport to Amboseli, Nanyuki and Samburu and three weekly services to Meru. This year we shall continue to respond to the needs of passengers with the introduction of more services.”

Referring to the airline’s 2011 expansion programme, Mr Ooko said: “Plans are under way to launch flights from Nairobi to Wajir and Mandera with two weekly services.

These will be operated on Thursdays and Saturdays and will save passengers time and the expense of a long and tiresome road journey.

Fly540 commenced operations in November 2006 with a daily flight between Nairobi and Mombasa. Its value-formoney flights won instant popularity and the airline now offers flights to 14 destinations in Kenya and regional services to Bujumbura, Entebbe, Dar es Salaam, Mwanza, Zanzibar and Kilimanjaro.

Plans are under way to launch flights from Nairobi to Wajir and Mandera with two weekly services. These will be operated on Thursdays and Saturdays and will save passengers time and the expense of a long and tiresome road journey Mr Ooko went on: “To celebrate the introduction of the two CRJ-100 aircraft,

Tickets are available from travel agents and the Fly540 offices at the Laico Regency and ABC Place. Full information about fares and services can be obtained from www.fly540.com and passengers can book online.

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News //

FLY540 NEWS

VIP at launch of vipingo service

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ast expanding regional airline Fly540, has introduced three flights a week from Wilson Airport to Vipingo Ridge golf resort. Charles Wako, chairman of the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority, was guest of honour at the launch of the airline’s services to Vipingo. Pictured with him are Anne Maina (centre) and Roselyne Naliaka, employees of Fly540.

Fly540 stand wins

prize at expo  Fly540 won a prize for secondbest stand in the services industry category at this year’s Holidays Tourism Fair at the Sarit Centre. The Honourable Najib Balala, Minister for Tourism, hands over the trophy to Stella Kapsoot (left) and Martha Wambui, members of staff at Fly540. The exposition attracted over 70 exhibitors.

 Fly540 staff members (from left) Stella Kapsoot, Judith Rono, Martha Wambui and Joyce Gitimu are in celebratory mood after winning the trophy for second-best stand in the services industry category at the Holidays Tourism Fair.

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Airline spreads its wings to Mwanza

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irect return flights between Dar es Salaam and Mwanza have been introduced by Fly540 this year, with morning and evening services Monday to Friday and an evening flight on Sundays.

Flights between the two cities commenced on 24 January.

The service is operated by Fokker F28 aircraft, with departures from Dar es Salaam at 06.30 and 16.30 and return flights from Mwanza at 08.15 and 18.15.

There is an introductory return fare of US$ 225 including tax.

Tickets Fly540 provided a link between Nairobi and Mwanza early last year with three services a week on Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays. Flights from Nairobi leave Unit I at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) at 10.40. Departure time from Mwanza is 14.30 on each of the three days.

The Mwanza offices of Fly540 are on the ground floor of the New Mwanza Hotel on Kenyatta Road. Tickets are available from travel agents and the main office in Dar es Salaam on Samora Avenue and in the Arusha branch at the Blue Plaza, second floor, India Street. Full information on fares and services can be obtained from www.fly540.com and passengers can book online.

Value

a CRJ100 aircraft which has a bigger capacity of 50 seats.”

Daily In addition to Mwanza and Dar es Salaam, Fly540 operates services to Arusha, Kilimanjaro, Manyara and Serengeti in Tanzania. The airline also flies to Zanzibar, Entebbe and Bujumbura.

Fly540 provided a link between Nairobi and Mwanza early last year with three services a week on Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays

Brown Francis, general manager of Fly540, said: “The launch of Mwanza services has been driven by requests from potential passengers in Tanzania. There is a growing demand for value for money in air travel and our expansion plan includes the introduction of services to Kigoma, Mtwara and Dodoma. We plan to use

Fly540 commenced operations in Kenya in November 2006 with a daily flight between Nairobi and Mombasa for local and overseas business and holiday travellers.

New air link opens for Tanzanian cities Saidi A. Amanzi, the District Commissioner of Mwanza, flanked

by Fly540 staff Beth Gayalwa (left) and Munira Seiff, cuts the ribbon at a ceremony at Mwanza Airport to mark Fly540’s inaugural flight to Mwanza from Dar es Salaam. The airline has introduced direct return flights between the two Tanzanian cities. The new service commenced on 24 January.

Africa’s low cost airline

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FLAMBOYANT FLAVIO TO CREATE

FABULOUS

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// Billionaire’s Playground

NEW RESORT Africa’s low cost airline

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Billionaire’s playground //

V

isitors to the Kenyan coast will find the perfect recipe for a great vacation, thanks to the easygoing nature of the community, its vibrant nightlife and the abundance of surf, sand and sun.

As the Kenyan coast continues to attract tourists from all over the world, it has captured the imagination of the rich and famous, for whom it has become a favourite playground. One of the most high-profile visitors has been Flavio Briatore, the flamboyant former motor racing team boss. Flavio has been holidaying at his exclusive resort in Malindi for many years now, bringing his close friends and family each year to vacation at the coast.

His love for the country has never been in question and he has always hinted at investing some of his wealth in Kenya.

This was underlined recently when he announced the construction of a new holiday apartments complex in Malindi.

According to Sabina, the concept and approach of the resort have been inspired by the needs of wealthy vacationers – exclusivity, flexibility, functionality, space and attention to detail. This will be complemented by high quality, 24-hour service in order to maximise the luxurious atmosphere of the resort.

Due to be completed in 2012, the resort will have high quality structures involving a perfect blend of local materials and some imported materials. There will be 26 exquisite apartments ranging in size from one-bedroomed units to spacious four-bedroomed suites. Accommodation will be in three large units raised above the ground. Each apartment will feature a pedestrian arcade at the rear and a private balcony overlooking the ocean.

Flavio Briatore at the Spanish Formula One Grand Prix, Valencia, Spain - June 2010

Billionaire resort This is not only a sign of Flavio’s love and appreciation of the Kenyan coast, but also a shot in the arm for the local tourism industry.

Aptly named the Billionaire Resort, the new property will translate the quest for utter privacy and exclusivity into a purely luxurious, hassle-free experience. It will be built in an easily accessible, green locale between the main highway and the Indian Ocean, a few minutes’ drive from Malindi Airport.

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©Sipa Press/Rex Features

According to Sabina Vivaldi, marketing manager at Flavio’s existing property Lion in the Sun in Malindi, the new resort to be built will not only be a signature brand of Briatore himself, but will also be a totally new addition to Kenya’s tourism industry, offering the highest product and service standards.

This is not only a sign of Flavio’s love and appreciation of the Kenyan coast, but also a shot in the arm for the local tourism industry Africa’s low cost airline

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// Billionaire’s playground

Each apartment will have direct access to a large swimming pool and a private beach. All apartments will feature large decks, sheltered from the elements, to provide a huge interior surface area.

World’s best spa Within the grounds there will be a spa and fitness centre modelled on the award-winning Thala Spa at the Lion in the Sun Resort.

The Thala Spa at Lion in the Sun Resort is the only one of its kind in Africa and was recently voted World’s Best Spa by ‘Tatler’ magazine The Thala Spa at Lion in the Sun Resort is the only one of its kind in Africa and was recently voted World’s Best Spa by ‘Tatler’ magazine. Thala Spa operates under the Henri Chenot brand.

The main concept of the spa is health and well-being with a detoxing programme.

The therapy involves expelling toxins from the body while undergoing a healthy treatment including a special diet to reduce toxins.

Other services and facilities at the property include a 24-hour concierge service, a butler service, a high-end restaurant, a sports facility and a children’s nursery and pool.

The Lion in the Sun Resort in Malindi is an exclusive boutique property with only 15 rooms. It has been a personal vacation home for Flavio Briatore, who has entertained celebrities such as British supermodel Naomi Campbell and former Formula 1 champion Fernando Alonso.

The Thala Spa reception

His dream is to share the billionaire culture with others; and this is what has metamorphosed into the new Billionaire Resort.

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Mitumba //

Mitumba:

A BLESSING IN DISGUISE W

alking down streets in Nairobi, I hear shouts.

One man yells “100!” another “200!” These are vendors selling second-hand clothes or mitumba, as the trade is known locally.

There is a clear desire for second-hand clothes – at least judging by the number of Kenyans rummaging among the items of apparel spread out by hawkers. It seems that mitumba is a case of one’s person’s old cast-off becoming another’s treasured possession.

The boom in second-hand clothes has caused some controversy, but it’s what many people have now chosen to wear. What began as a charity for the less privileged in society or clothing for those earning less than a dollar a day has turned into a major business.

Benefit So who buys second-hand clothes? Well, the economic situation is the main driver of the growth of the mitumba sector.

And the appeal for those from a certain social class is that these clothes are inexpensive – with prices as low as KES 10. Mitumba has benefited low income earners, giving them a chance to buy quality clothes on a limited budget.

Mitumba has created thousands of jobs among otherwise unemployed people who have opted to sell second-hand clothes for a living Another factor in the growth of mitumba is the employment opportunities generated by the industry itself. Mitumba has created thousands of jobs among otherwise unemployed people who have opted to sell second-hand clothes for a living.

In addition, the microfinance sector has quickly embraced mitumba – giving a boost to those venturing into the industry.

Competition between microfinance and the traditional banking sector has resulted in banks entering the industry to provide unsecured and soft loans to mitumba vendors.

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Most importantly, mitumba has led to new fashion trends and styles. Fashion-conscious Kenyans want to look good, even in times of economic hardship. The price of designer clothes shipped from Europe or the United States is still for the rich. But for most social classes, mitumba is proving a blessing in disguise as Kenyans get to wear stylish designer clothes at a fraction of their new cost.

But it’s a tough business for those trying to earn a living each day from second-hand clothes. The process involves mitumba resellers scrambling in the dust at the wholesale market to get the best bales of newly arrived clothes and to find the best items for resale. Most bales arriving from Europe are grouped by clothing type.

Sorting Sellers also need to know their market. One supplier says: “When you have been in the industry for a long time – I would say not less than five years – you get to style up and know what’s in fashion among young people who spend on clothes.” This is crucial; otherwise sellers end up with unwanted and unstylish stock.

Buyers get to sort through the piles and inspect the clothes for stains and holes before purchasing. Some suppliers, though, sort them and charge extra in terms of cleaning and repairing items.

This is how superior quality second-hand clothes find their way into offices where busy employees, who do not have the time or may not wish to be seen shopping downtown, can have access to a selection of quality clothes. These are usually referred to as ‘camera’ (first-class quality) by hawkers specialising in top-end brands and lines.

Fashion On the down side, the mitumba industry has killed off the local textile industry. The quality of new locally produced clothes is highly variable compared with second-hand. Moreover, the unique nature of second-hand clothes compares favourably with the mass production and lack of creativity in the local industry.

People feel special when buying a design that is of one kind, and this is where mitumba scores. What’s more, it is less expensive and more stylish.

The decline in the local textile industry has not gone unnoticed by the government, although the authorities have been reluctant to react. Second-hand items were featured recently in the

new tax bill. This was a move to revive the local textile industry, as well as discouraging the use of Kenya as a dumping ground for second-hand goods.

Second-hand clothes used to have a stigma, but now it’s becoming more acceptable as well as a fashionable way to personalise individual dress style. Those who wish to stand out

People feel special when buying a design that is of one kind, and this is where mitumba scores.

What’s more, it is less expensive and more stylish from the crowd will always look for something different, affordable and of good quality – and the best place to start is the used clothing market.

Will mitumba survive or will the local industry step up its game?

Only time will tell.

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ROCK CITY

ROCKS

THE CONFERENCE TOURISM

BOAT

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// Mwanza

T

ourism has a critical role to play in the advancement of the global economy, especially in the developing economies of Africa, South East Asia and Latin America.

Rapidly fuelled by the information age over the past two decades, tourism, especially in Africa, is becoming a focus for many economies.

Tanzania is one of the African countries that is realising the economic potential of tourism. Known the world over as home to Mount Kilimanjaro – the roof of Africa – Tanzania has made giant strides in exploiting the many tourism opportunities within its borders.

From the tropical white sandy beaches of Bagamoyo to the Spice Islands of Zanzibar to the snow-covered peak of Kilimanjaro to the plains of the Serengeti, Tanzania is seen as the perfect holiday

Pemba and the Mount Kilimanjaro region, are well known, the western side of Tanzania has remained largely untapped.

the Rock City In this region lies Mwanza, the country’s second-largest city after Dar es Salaam.

Located next to the Lake Victoria, the world’s second-largest body of fresh water, Mwanza is known as Rock City because of the huge rocks and boulders that can be seen all around the city.

The most recognisable is Bismarck’s Rock, a massive piece of granite that sticks out of the lake just south of the Kamanga Ferry Terminal. This dramatic landmark is a ‘must see’ in Mwanza.

In terms of tourism arrivals, Mwanza has been overshadowed by Arusha, Zanzibar and Dar es Salaam; but today it offers new

From the tropical white sandy beaches of Bagamoyo to the Spice Islands of Zanzibar to the snow-covered peak of Kilimanjaro to the plains of the Serengeti, Tanzania is seen as the perfect holiday destination for anyone seeking peace and quiet destination for anyone seeking peace and quiet in serene, natural surroundings as well as the perfect answer for seekers of adventure with a thirst for fun and adrenalin-pumping action such as hunting and fishing. And with over 120 tribal communities, Tanzania offers a gallimaufry of culture that cannot be experienced anywhere else in East Africa.

promise at a critical moment when the western tourism circuit is gaining prominence.

The range of tourism potential is as huge and diverse as the country itself. While the eastern and northern tourism circuits, incorporating the islands of Zanzibar and

Its proximity to major national parks has made the city an emerging transit point to popular destinations in Tanzania and the region.

According to those in the city’s tourism sector, Mwanza offers visitors a whole new experience, especially when it comes to wildlife and cultural tourism.

Day trips to Serengeti

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Mwanza city centre

Today, with ‘conference tourism’ becoming a niche product, the city is positioning itself as a popular destination, especially in view of its close proximity to other major cities in East and Central Africa The famed Serengeti National Park is less than two hours’ drive from Mwanza, offering visitors a golden opportunity to view a diversity of wild animals in their natural surroundings. In terms of air travel costs, this contrasts favourably

with other popular destinations such as Arusha and Dar es Salaam.

Excursions Many tour operators and hotels in Mwanza can easily organise day excursions to and from the Serengeti. This has proved popular with the growing number of conference delegates coming to the city. After days of meetings and brainstorming sessions, a day trip to the Serengeti offers a welcome break.

Investment Today, with ‘conference tourism’ becoming a niche product, the city is positioning itself as a popular destination, especially in view of its close proximity to other major cities in East and Central Africa.

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The revived East African Community has provided a shot in the arm for conference tourism in the city.

To take advantage of this, Mwanza has made significant investments geared to the needs of both leisure and business travellers from within and without the region.

Conference tourism The Malaika Beach Hotel, in the Ilemea area of the city by the shores of Lake Victoria, has an excellent location for conferences. The spacious grounds allow it to handle large delegations while a new ultra-modern conference centre is under construction.

A new conference development is due to open in the third quarter of 2011 at Isamilo Lodge in a secluded location on the rocky hills of Mwanza. According to Rod Gomez, the general manager,

// Mwanza

this lodge will have the city’s largest and most modern conference centre. This new facility is being built opposite the existing lodge and is part of an expansion programme that will more than double the lodge’s bed capacity while auxiliary facilities will include a new casino, a large modern restaurant, an underground clubhouse and a rooftop coffee shop. Mr Gomez says this will not only transform the lodge into a preferred accommodation and meeting venue, but will also make it a one-stop entertainment spot for the city.

Future development While tourism development in the Mwanza region is still in its early stages, the region is set to benefit significantly when existing and new tourism ventures are explored. Key among these is Saa Nane Island, a rocky island located south of Mwanza city, which is to be converted into a national park, bringing the total number of national parks to 16.

Once open, it will become the first national park in Tanzania to be located within a city. It will also be the smallest national park in East and Central Africa, covering just under 1 sq km. In spite of its small size, the park will be home to a wide range of wildlife including impala,

rock hyrax, velvet monkey, wild cat, clawless otter and De Brazza’s monkey. The island park will also feature aquatic life with a variety of fish species as well as Nile crocodiles, water snakes, tortoises, grass snakes, pythons, monitor lizards and agama lizards.

THE FLY540

AIRCRAFT FLEET

Canadair CL-600-2B19 Regional Jet

Fokker F28

Type: Twin-engine regional jet

Type: Short range jet airliner

Number in service: 3

Number in service: 1

Capacity per aircraft: 50 passengers

Capacity per aircraft: 67 passengers

Hawker Beech-craft Airliner B1900C Type: Twin-engine turboprop airplane Number in service: 1 Capacity per aircraft: 18 passengers

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// Fleet

Bombardier Dash 8 102 Series Type: Twin-engined, medium range, turboprop airliner Number in service: 3 Capacity per aircraft: 37 passengers

Cessna Grand Caravan C208B Type: Single turboprop engine, fixed-gear short-haul regional airliner Number in service: 1 Capacity per aircraft: 11 passengers

ATR 72-500 Type: Twin-engine turboprop short-haul regional airliner Number in service: 2 Capacity per aircraft: 78 passengers

ATR 42 -320 Type: Twin-turboprop, short-haul regional airliner Number in service: 2 Capacity per aircraft: 47 passengers

Fokker F27 Type: Turboprop cargo airliner Number in service: 1 Capacity per aircraft: 1336 x 210 x 190 cargo hold

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: i n a i D

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// Diani

or many it’s something of a pilgrimage. For others, no Sunday lunchtime is complete without time spent convivially in its warm embrace.

For those visiting Kenya’s south coast for the first time, it’s a place they may have heard of, but they are not quite sure where it is or what they will find when they get there. For others it’s completely unknown and its odd name makes it sound rather mysterious.

Shady retreat So what is this place? Well, to regulars it’s simply the only place to hang out in Diani. It is Forty Thieves, a bar and restaurant clinging to one of the most glorious strips of beach in Kenya. Ranked 17th in ‘Bartender’ magazine’s list of the world’s classic bars, Forty Thieves offers a welcome and shady retreat on a hot south coast afternoon.

The food is not necessarily the main draw at Forty Thieves. The seafood certainly hits the spot, as you would expect, and the rest of the menu is more than adequate; although you can probably find a better pizza elsewhere along the strip.

But Forty Thieves has that special ‘Ingredient X’, that certain something you just can’t buy, manufacture or create artificially, and that is ambience – and by the bucketload. The atmosphere is so

intoxicating that it’s possible to feel lightheaded even before ordering your first drink from the always busy bar.

What’s more, Forty Thieves has a fiercely loyal following among grizzled, old-timer, south coast residents and regular Diani

visitors, who come for Sunday lunch, enjoy a few White Caps, listen to the band and seize the opportunity to watch an English Premiership football match or perhaps a Formula 1 Grand Prix on the impressively large theatre-style TV.

Lifestyle But there’s more to Forty Thieves than a bar in a pleasant location. It’s part of a wider hospitality set-up that also embraces Ali Barbour’s Cave Restau-

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// Diani

Sails Beach Bar & Restaurant

rant and the cosy Flamboyant Hotel, all grouped more or less in one contiguous plot. And from 2012 there will even be a chance to buy a villa nearby.

Ambience The Flamboyant is more a beachfront house than a hotel. Indeed, it was such a dwelling until it was converted into an ‘auberge’ with an ocean view. The hotel offers a slightly different experience from many of the larger, purpose-built

Ali Barbour’s Cave Restaurant

properties along the coast. Ali Barbour’s, meanwhile, offers fine dining in the open-air setting of a shallow coral cave.

While diehard Diani aficionados still head for the Thieves, there are some comparatively new kids on the strip. For a different kind of ambience, try the Sands at Nomads with its more family-friendly

theme and good food in a similar beachside setting. Like the Thieves, Sunday afternoons here are busy, the atmosphere is relaxed and the service is spot on.

Best cuisine Alternatively, if you are feeling particularly flush and demand the best cuisine, there is only one choice – Sails Beach Bar & Restaurant, a superb restaurant forming part of Almanara Luxury Resort. Quieter and certainly classier than just about anywhere else on the south coast, this is where group executive chef Luke Doig weaves his daily magic to create a tempting and eclectic array of special dishes to entertain and delight everyone who appreciates good food.

So take your pick: the boisterous and authentic real deal at Forty Thieves, fun for all the family at Sands at Nomads, or a wallet-slimming visit to the truly wonderful Sails. In fact, there is something for everyone each Sunday on Kenya’s south coast.

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COMMUNITy RALLIeS ROUND TO PReSeRVe

the

WorlD’s most eXpensiVe

tree

Picture Caption

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// Musical tree

540 contributing editor Denis Gathanju spent two days in Kibosho Village on the slopes of Mount Kilimanjaro with Sebastian Chuwa, a renowned Tanzanian botanist, the man behind the preservation of ‘the musical tree’ which, owing to its rarity, is also the world’s most expensive tree, selling at an incredible US$ 25,000 per cubic metre.

f

ew people have seen it; even fewer know of its existence; but many people have heard it in concert halls across Europe, North America and Asia. The melodious tunes arising from this little-known wonder have touched the hearts and minds of millions; but what escapes the imagination of everyone who has heard it play is that its very survival is under threat. But the wonder tree that has been nicknamed ‘the musical tree’ still has a chance, thanks to the efforts of one man who is battling to save it.

Mali Hai – living resources The snow-covered peak of Mount Kilimanjaro sparkles in the morning sun. Local schoolchildren are grouped on one side while their parents and local villagers sit on the other. What they have in common is that they are all members of the Mali Hali Clubs of Tanzania and are here on a tree-planting mission.

Mali Hai, Swahili for ‘living resources’, is the brainchild of Sebastian Chuwa, a botanist by profession, who has been championing the cause of environmental protection in Tanzania. Through an elaborate network of pupils, teachers, parents and villagers, he has been able to marshal communities in the Mount Kilimanjaro region to work on a huge reforestation programme that has involved the planting of over a million trees.

His mission is to combat the effects of climate change on the local population in terms of erratic weather patterns that have made farming, especially of bananas and coffee, a gamble.

From humble beginnings in 1985, the Mali Hai Clubs has become a significant movement in the Kilimanjaro Region owing to its elaborate programme of environmental conservation.

“I chose to work with young children because it is they who will inherit the future,” said Sebastian. “My intention was to get the

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Musical trees //

criminately. It is currently listed under CITES Appendix II as a threatened tree species which could become extinct within a generation or two if nothing is done to save it.

According to Sebastian, the mpingo tree is threatened because it is a slowgrowing tree that takes 50 to 70 years to mature and is being depleted at an alarming rate.

Although Tanzania’s Ministry of Natural Resources & Tourism has banned the export of mpingo, it continues to be felled, especially in southern parts of Tanzania that were inaccessible until recently message through to them so that they understand the benefits of preserving the environment.”

In this way, he said, the message would ripple forth to the entire community that the environment needed to be protected and would ultimately bring about responsible living for all. Each school term, the children were given a seedling to take care of and would be given trees to plant in their homes and along village roads and footpaths at the end of term. Many years on, Sebastian’s approach bore fruit as some of the primary pupils he educated returned to their villages enlightened and have been pivotal in starting up Mali Hai Clubs in their villages.

The musical tree Meanwhile, Sebastian’s other pet project has been conserving the threatened African blackwood (Dalbergia melanoxylon), also known to local people as the mpingo tree.

Although the African blackwood is not endangered, it faces a degree of risk because it continues to be harvested indis-

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Although Tanzania’s Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism has banned the export of mpingo, it continues to be felled, especially in southern parts of Tanzania that were inaccessible until recently. Its huge market value is a major factor in this indiscriminate felling. It is estimated that fewer than 3 million African blackwood trees remain, mostly in Tanzania and northern Mozambique.

“I started collecting its seeds and initiated an African blackwood tree-planting programme here in Moshi,” said Sebastian. “The mpingo is a hardy tree that survives on very little water. It has tiny leaves that help against loss of too much water. Once the root system has been established, the tree requires little or no rainfall to mature. It can be planted in farms because it does not compete for resources with maize, coffee or bananas and acts as a nitrogen-fixing agent in the soil.”

James Harris, a Texan wood turner, and his wife Bette Stockbauer, who creates collectible wood art from many tree species

including the African blackwood, helped raise funds for the project in the United States after watching a telecast about Sebastian’s work. Thus the African Blackwood Conservation Project (ABCP) was born, enabling Sebastian to establish an African Blackwood tree nursery on the southern reaches of Moshi township where the weather suits this tree.

Makonde woodcarvers Apart from being used to make some of the world’s finest wind instruments, such as clarinets and oboes, the African blackwood is prized as a material for sculpture. The Makonde sculptors of Tanzania make a handsome living from the sale of artefacts to local and foreign tourists.

Sebastian and I visit the workshop of Makonde sculptor Aloyse Mrema in downtown Moshi. “The ebony yet oily look of the mpingo makes it attractive as it has a natural polish that sets it apart from the rest,” he told me.

“Due to this, it fetches higher prices than wood carvings from other hardwoods.”

Sebastian has donated mpingo seedlings to the wood carvers, who have planted them around their carving site and workshop in Moshi. So far, the artisans have planted more than 3,000 African blackwood seedlings, a respectable amount considering they fell some 1,500 mpingo trees each year. “I want them to plant 10,000 mpingo trees next year,” said Sebastian.

Recognition Sebastian has won international accolades for his environmental work. In February 2002 he was presented with the Spirit of the Land Award at the Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, Utah, for his outstanding contribution to environmental education in Tanzania. In November of the same year, he received the Associate Laureate Award from the Rolex Award for Enterprise Committee in London.

In 2007 Sebastian became the second African after Kenya’s celebrated environmentalist and 2004 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Professor Wangari Maathai to receive the J. Sterling Morton Award. This award, presented in Nebraska City, Nebraska, is the highest annual award of the National Arbor Day Foundation.

For Sebastian, the rallying call has always been the same – plant more trees and save the mpingo for future generations. He and his army of pupils, parents, teachers and villagers are planting change into the grounds, and future generations will be shaded thanks to the tireless efforts of Sebastian and the Mali Hali Clubs of Tanzania.

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A PILGRIM’S

JOURNEY TO THE

HALLOWED

GROUND

By Denis Gathanju

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// Theatre of Dreams

i

have always dreamt of making the pilgrimage north – but I don’t mean of the religious kind.

For me, this was a different kind of pilgrimage that most people I know would dream of making.

As I packed my bags in Nairobi, I could hear my heart pound at the sheer thought of it. Boy, I was excited; but being who I am, I always try to be cool and not show my excitement. From here, things started happening for me, I did not have time to sit down and absorb everything. Within

comprehend the passion and emotion that comes with the pilgrimage north. “I just don’t understand why someone in their right mind would be doing this every other weekend. They need to get a life,” he said dismissively as a busload of other passionate pilgrims whizzed past us.

While he was impatient with everyone else, I was impatient to get there. Even though the M6 motorway we used was in prime condition, the journey seemed to last forever. There were no major snarl-ups and, believe me, the traffic

“I just don’t understand why someone in their right mind would being doing this every other weekend. They need to get a life” hours of flying out of Nairobi on Thursday night, I arrived in Amsterdam on Friday morning. From there, I flew to the English regional city of Norwich and was driven south to the town of Colchester. Although I had spent more than 10 hours on a plane, I was alert and could not get to sleep until after midnight.

What lingered in my mind was the coming pilgrimage north from Colchester.

On Saturday morning I was up early. We agreed to breakfast on the drive north.

‘Get a life’ While my host, who happens to be my boss, is not that passionate about my obsession, he was willing to accompany me on this pilgrimage. But he would not

situation here gets worse than in Nairobi.

A major incident can have sections of the six-lane motorway closed to traffic, with the resultant traffic jam snaking a 30 km stretch and causing huge delays.

Flags and scarves We left Colchester at 0700 and arranged to stop for breakfast at one of the motorway service areas. Our intention was to get to beat the traffic and get to our destination in time for lunch. As we clocked up the miles, we encountered all sorts of people on the road. Flags were waved and scarves displayed in the back windows of cars and buses heading north. No-one could doubt these were devoted pilgrims heading for the ‘holy ground’ where many have fallen to the

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Denis Gathanju takes his seat in the North Stand at Old Trafford.

artistry of the home warriors, cheered on by the rapturous roar of the thousands of faithful who troop along religiously, every other weekend, to watch the ‘slaughter’.

The Theatre of Dreams “Exit the motorway and enter the roundabout. Take the second exit and turn right to Trafford Wharf Road to your destination,” announced the car’s GPS navigation system. We drove into the parking lot.

“Boy, we are in for a treat,” my boss announces and breaks into a smile for the first time since morning as we walk the 200 yards to the hallowed ground.

At the entrance, security staff check our passes and ask us to proceed to the North Stand and enter the ground via the executive section.

We are welcomed to the Manchester Suite and ushered into the executive restaurant for drinks and lunch.

“Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the Theatre of Dreams,” a male voice booms

the sea of humanity. Even with the loud cheers and the bee-like activity all around, I stand still and listen to my heart pound.

This is what I have dreamt of for so long.

At home “So, this is where it all happens,” I think to myself. “This is home. It feels good to be home.” After five hours in a car from Colchester to Manchester, I was finally ‘home’, although thousands of miles from home. This was the greatest day of my life and nothing could stop me from savouring the moment.

I was finally ‘home’, thousands of miles from home. This was the greatest day of my life and nothing could stop me from savouring the moment

Paul Scholes controls the ball during the pre-match warm up

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over the intercom as if to acknowledge our arrival. A loud roar from an excited crowd follows in response. The smile on my face grows even bigger as I stand and watch

“Ladies and gentlemen, this is the Theatre of Dreams, the home of the greatest football club on earth, Manchester United,” once again boomed the

// Theatre of Dreams

intercom to a thunderous cheer from the more than 70,000 fans packed into Old Trafford stadium.

April is the business end of the English Premier League – the period when every game counts and the championship is decided. The Red Devils, as they are aptly known, head the table, seven points clear of their nearest rivals, the recently underachieving Arsenal.

Today’s match against London side Fulham is critical in every respect since ‘Man U’ have a chance to widen the gap at the top of the table to 10 points and move closer to winning the English title for a record 19th time and go one better than joint title holders Liverpool.

Everyone in the huge stadium gets to their feet as the teams emerge from the tunnel at the Stretford End onto the sunlit pitch. The weather couldn’t be more beautiful for a mid-afternoon ‘trouncing’.

Glory, glory Man United We are seated in the executive section of the North Stand with two season tickets.

Manchester United and Fulham players shake hands before the duel at Old Trafford

These are the second most expensive season tickets at this club after corporate box tickets, retailing at more than £3,000 or KES 405,000 for just 19 home games.

Owning these tickets guarantees you the best seats, at the halfway line in the stadium. Ticket holders also have access to the Manchester Suite, a high-end restaurant where you can eat before the The final score at Old Trafford

match and have a drink at half-time.

The referee blows his whistle for the kickoff and the sound of the capacity crowd is deafening. The atmosphere is charged and the fans are soon shouting for goals.

“Glory, glory Man United!” fans chant from all corners of the stadium. The words give a boost to the home players while intimidating the visitors.

Passion For many years, I have watched Manchester United beat other teams from thousands of miles away. I have seen the passion and enthusiasm of the fans and players in the stadium; but to experience all this at first hand is a very different thing. I was on cloud nine.

Within seconds of the kick-off, the Cottagers (Fulham’s nick-name) from London were on the attack and looking for an early goal when Gael Kakuta, on loan to Fulham from Chelsea, sent a screaming shot wide to the left of United goalkeeper Tomasz Kuszczak. But United quickly got into the game and opened the score when the sensational Nani dribbled the ball into the area before spreading it wide to the left and into the

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// Theatre of Dreams

Manchester United’s Nani shoots from distance

path of an advancing Dimitar Berbatov, who buried it in the bottom corner.

The thunderous cheers from around the stadium threatened to bring down the roof. The entire crowd jumped to their feet and shouted themselves hoarse. I had to help the old man seated next to me to get on his feet to clap and add his voice to the cheers.

Driving seat From then on, United were in the driving seat as they toyed with a deflated and an uninspired Fulham, with Nani and Antonio Valencia constantly terrorising the Fulham defence from the flanks as Anderson, Paul Scholes and others ran circles around the Fulham midfield. The back four of the United squad were in excellent shape.

Nemanja Vidic – or Vida, as he affection-

The thunderous cheers from around the stadium threatened to bring down the roof of Old Trafford. The entire crowd jumped to their feet and shouted themselves hoarse ately known to the United fans – easily kept the Fulham attackers at bay.

The mood was heavy with expectation as a neat cross into the area by Berbatov was collected by a waiting Anderson, who shot wide from 18 yards with his left boot.

“Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaah,” the crowd mourned at the missed opportunity.

Sensing that this would be a rout, the fans clapped and sang, demanding more goals. The noise reached a crescendo when Nani chased the ball to the edge of the area on the left flank. As he rounded an advancing Schwarzer, the Fulham goalkeeper, the crowd was on its

feet, begging for a goal. Nani positioned himself superbly, raced with the ball into the penalty box and bulleted a shot towards the goalmouth.

A Fulham defender managed to deflect the ball, but his luck ran out as it flew into the path of Valencia, who was calmly positioned at the far post to head the ball into a yawning net.

“Gooooooooooooooal!” the crowd cheered, hugging one another and clapping in excitement.

Touchline ban Although United manager Sir Alex Ferguson was under a touchline ban for this match and some of big-name players like Ryan Giggs and Wayne Rooney were being rested in anticipation of the Champions League clash with Chelsea, the match lived up to its billing. The home side were continuing their march to be crowned English champions.

As I leave the fortress that is home to my favourite football club, I now know and understand fully the passion and enthusiasm that is behind every game played at this stadium. For me, my dreams came true at the Theatre of Dreams.

Hail, Manchester United!

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Deep water fishing //

Kenya presents

the ultimate sport fishing challenge

By Denis Gathanju

F

AMED for its beaches, landscapes and wildlife safaris, Kenya is also making a name for itself as Africa’s top destination for deepsea and sport fishing.

marlin. I joined Peter Ruysernaars, owner and director of the Pemba Channel Fishing Club, for a briefing. Peter had arranged for me to go out next day with Mike Marriott, an experienced angler from England.

Magnificent weather and an ocean teeming with fish make Kenya a paradise for sea anglers.

Day One: As a spectator

My recent fishing trip coincided with my birthday and I was eager to challenge the

Mike and I were welcomed aboard the ‘White Otter’ by her captain, Mohamed Makame.

Mike is not your ordinary angler. He is a 70-year-old retired Royal Air Force officer who has been fishing all his life.

“I started fishing as a two-year-old in England, but actually began sport fishing as an eight-year-old,” he told me. “I have been fishing in these waters more than 30 times now. It does not compare to any other sport fishing destination in the world in terms of fantastic weather, excellent boats and equipment and experienced crew. And, of course, the waters off Pemba Channel are the best for marlin.”

Soon, Mike showed his experience by effortlessly pulling a 30 lb dorado out of the water.

Then, a second line reeled and Mike took to the fishing chair again as the sailfish

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leaped out of the water, displaying its magnificent colours. After about nine minutes we got the fish on board and he was tagged and released.

Quest for a black marlin Later, Mohamed spotted a marlin chasing one of the strip baits and powered the vessel forward. Marlins are loved by anglers because of the commendable fight they put up. The marlin leaped into the air, displaying its dark-coloured back. Mike shouted: “It’s a black marlin!” After an eventful 25 minutes, he subdued the 200 lb fish.

“For 25 years, I have dreamed of this day,” said Mike. “I have finally captured a black marlin.”

Day Two: D-Day on my birthday The day began very cold. It was raining heavily with strong winds from the southwest. I boarded the larger vessel ‘Showery’ and told Mohamed Baraza, skipper for the day, that I was out to get a marlin.

Baraza gave a thumbs-up and manoeuvred the big vessel out of Shimoni Bay and into the Pemba Channel.

The marlin fight After a long dry spell, a striped marlin took the line. “Catch this one, Denis, and you can have a memorable birthday,” Cosmas challenged me as I sank into the fishing chair with my heart pounding.

The marlin made a spirited run as Mohamed steered the vessel in slow circles.

Baraza gave me the line and said calmly: “Wind the line as fast as you can, but be careful not to raise the rod too high.”

I heard Mike Marriott’s wise counsel from the back of my mind: “If he wants to run, let him run, but consider yourself as the interface between the fish and the boat.”

Our epic encounter continued for half an hour. With a sudden burst of energy, the

“I have been fishing in these waters more than 30 times now. It does not compare to any other sport fishing destination in the world” marlin tore through the surface water and span several times in the air. The 30 lb line snapped and I watched in dismay as my prize catch got away.

I had no time to rest, however, as a sailfish was immediately hooked and I had to put all my energy into subduing the 65 lb fish.

“What a day you had today, Denis,” said Mama, who had prepared a delicious birthday dinner for me.

Later, I was told that my name would be placed on the records board at the club because I had caught a 180 lb stripped marlin on a 30 lb line.

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Contact us //

OW

COST AIR L

E IN

AFRICAS L

FLy540

: E AT N I ONL com

0.

4 5 y w.fl w w K BOO

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UGANDA- 540 (U) LTD KAMPALA 540 TICKETING & RESERVATIONS OFFICE 1st Floor, Oasis Mall Tel: +256 (0)414 346 915/999 Tel: +256 (0)312 540 540 Sales: Tel: +256 (0)712 540 540; (0)776 540 540

ENTEBBE INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT 540 TICKETING & RESERVATIONS OFFICE Tel: +256 (0)314 540 540 Tel: +256 (0)315 540 540 Sales: Tel: +256 (0)713 540 540

UKUNDA 540 TICKETING & RESERVATIONS Barclays Centre, Diani Road Tel: +254 (0)20 354 6532 Tel: +254 (0)726 453 246

LAMU - NORTH COAST TRAVEL SERVICE Tel: +254 (0)42 213 0312 Tel: +254 (0)42 463 2054 Tel: +254 (0)725 942 444 Email: nctslamu@swiftmalindi.com Email: nctsmalindi@swiftmalindi.com

KITALE TICKETING & RESERVATIONS Terminal Building, Kitale Airstrip Tel: +254 (0)770 639 429 Tel: +254 (0)724 457 374 Tel: +254 (0)735 540 547

ELDORET 540 TICKETING & RESERVATIONS Tel: +254 (0)53 203 3570/80

Eldoret International Airport 540 Ticketing & Reservations Office Tel: +254 (0)53 203 0814 Tel: +254 (0)53 206 3823 ext 658

KAKAMEGA 540 TICKETING & RESERVATIONS Holden Mall, above Nakumatt Tel: +254 (0)734 540 550 Tel: +254 (0)711 908 330

540 TICKETING & RESERVATIONS WILSON AIRPORT - 540 SAFARI CIRCUIT SALES Ground Floor, Langata House Tel: +254 (0)20 254 0206 Tel: +254 (0)729 540 540 Tel: +254 (0)735 540 540

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