ZIMBABWE: Does Air Zimbabwe Have Only One Working Aircraft?

Boeing 767-200ER, the Air Zimbabwe plane that spewed fire from its left engine shortly after take-off from OR Tambo International Airport on April 28, is the airline’s only working aircraft.

A statement released by the airline on March 7 claimed that, due to equipment constraints, the aircraft is used to service all routes.

The aircraft underwent an engine change on March 3, which resulted in rescheduled and cancelled flights at the time.

Destinations via the airline include Johannesburg, Victoria Falls, Dar es Salaam in Tanzania, and Harare, the Zimbabwean capital city.

Flight UM462 was en route to Harare shortly after 7pm on April 28 when it experienced a malfunction on one of its engines, which resulted in a brief tailpipe fire.

This malfunction did not threaten the continuation of the flight or the safety of the crew and passengers, the airline stated. The plane landed safely in Harare at 8.35pm, about one and a half hours after the ordeal started.

Our engineers have commenced the required investigation and a report will be issued in due course, the airline added.


Tourism Observer

SOUTH AFRICA: Drugs, Rhino Horn, 51 Lion Claws And 19 Lion Teeth Impounded At OR Tambo Airport

Another person was arrested at the OR Tambo International Airport after being found in possession of drugs and a variety of other illegal items were seized.

The suspect, a 38 year old woman was being monitored after intelligence was provided that she will be arriving into the country from Sao Paulo with drugs.

On arrival from Sao Paulo, the suspect was interviewed and subsequently searched at Customs.

However, all forms of physical search had proven unsuccessful until she started to show signs of discomfort.

She was immediately taken to a local hospital and x-rayed.

The x-ray revealed foreign objects in the shape of bullets.

The “bullets”, suspected to be cocaine, were retrieved and they will be sent to our Forensic Science Laboratory for analysis.

In a separate incidents, the team intercepted a parcel at O R Tambo International Airport which was en route to Nigeria.

The parcel was physically searched by Customs and it was discovered that the it contained a rhino horn, 51 lion claws and 19 lion teeth.

The parcel was handed over to Convention on International trade in Endangered Species of wild flora and fauna (CITES) for further investigations.

The team also confiscated branded alleged counterfeit goods with an estimated street value of R 2 800 000 whilst doing gate checks.

It is alleged that a truck emanating from Swissport was inspected by SAPS and SARS.

The truck had cargo of boxes carrying Nike sneakers. The driver allegedly abandoned the truck and fled on foot.

The goods, which were falsely declared as printed matter and the truck were confiscated.

These successes are a culmination of efforts that form part of the new revised strategy that has recently been implemented at the O R Tambo International Airport under the leadership of Major General Dimakatso Ndaba which involves the South African Police Service’s Crime Intelligence, Directorate for Priority Crimes Investigation, Airports Company South Africa, O R Tambo International Airport, State Security Agency and other role players.

People may call our Crime Stop number 0860010111 with such information.

Callers may remain anonymous and all information will be treated with strictest confidence.



Tourism Observer

SOUTH AFRICA: Police Deployment Betters Security At OR Tambo International Airport

South Africa’s Police Minister, Fikile Mbalula, has announced a number of new policing and security measures in response to the recent incidents of crime in and around Johannesburg’s OR Tambo International Airport.

This includes the increased vetting of airport employees, the permanent deployment of a senior ranking police officer at the airport, and the deployment of additional metro police officials, as well as members of crime intelligence, the detective service and the Hawks (the police unit responsible for combating, investigating and preventing national priority crimes such as serious organised crime).

After visiting South Africa’s busiest airport and meeting with airport management about the nature of the crimes being committed, Minister Mbalula said similar security measures to those that were in place around the 2010 Fifa World Cup would be implemented.

“There is a collective agreement that we need to explore the 2010 Soccer World Cup strategy, which was both efficient and effective. We further discussed and reached agreement that it is critical to ensure that as part of the long-term, sustainable security plan, all people that work at the airport need to be effectively vetted, so that we have a greater appreciation of who is working and/or based at the airport,” he said.

“On this basis, we jointly agreed that a more senior police officer with the rank of major general needs to be deployed to the airport and lead its policing operation. The major general will be based at the airport.”

He said the Executive Mayor of the Ekurhuleni Municipality, Mzwandile Masina, had undertaken to dispatch more Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department officers to assist in curbing crime at OR Tambo International Airport.

“There will be a joint deployment to the airport that will include crime intelligence, the Hawks and detectives. This team will operate out of an operations room where crime will be monitored on a daily basis at the airport and a report will be sent to me on a weekly basis, on the progress being made in this regard,” Minister Mbalula said.

He said that on 21 July 2017, he would meet with all the South African government agencies within the security cluster to flesh out a master plan to enhance the airport’s security.

“As we speak, the leadership of the South African Police Service (SAPS) is strengthening the plan of fighting crime at OR Tambo International Airport to ensure that we keep this national key point safe for all passengers and visitors to the airport and to our country. We therefore want to assure South Africans and our international guests that their safety is our number one priority.”

South African Tourism’s Chief Executive Officer, Sisa Ntshona, welcomed the plans to enhance police presence at the airport: “OR Tambo is one of the key entry points into South Africa and our continent, and is one of the busiest airports for domestic travelers as well.

The airport sees about 21 million passengers passing through every year. Because tourism is such an important driver of inclusive growth in our economy, we want all airline passengers to feel safe, secure and relaxed when they arrive, travel within and depart from South Africa.

We have full confidence that the men and women of the SAPS will take the necessary steps to ensure that local and international travellers alike will have peace of mind when using the airport.”



Tourism Observer
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NAMIBIA: Air Namibia Named Best Airline In Africa

Air Namibia was named the Best Airline in Africa when the global flight and travel search platform, Cheapflights, recently announced the winners of its inaugural Cheapflights Travel Awards in Cape Town.

The awards recognised the best southern African travel and tourism business and brands in a range of categories from the best local airports and airlines, to the best safari and wine offerings.

South Africans casted their vote for their favourite travel brands and businesses over the past month, as nominated by the South African Travel Massive blogger community.

With over 50 000 votes cast, Managing Director of Cheapflights Andrew Shelton said: We were overwhelmed by the response and the number of votes that came in for our first ever travel awards.

We want to thank everyone for participating and congratulate them for being recognised as one of the top performers in their category.

South Africa is a premiere destination, with world class offerings, and it shows in the numbers with international visitors to South Africa is growing by 30 percent year-on-year.

Shelton was joined by a delegation of Cheapflights colleagues, who over the course of a three-day visit met with a number of tourism industry stakeholders and partners to better understand the South African travel market, and discuss the benefits of the Cheapflights metasearch products to both businesses and consumers here.

Cheapflights has seen a 69 percent increase in demand over the last 12 months, across its web and app platforms, and revenue growth of 131 percent – evidence, he believes, of a growing wanderlust in the Rainbow Nation.

The falling value of the Pound, and the increased competition that platforms like ours bring to a market, are all good news for South African travellers.

By giving them accurate and timely information on the best value flights when they are searching, we help them to make the best choices simplifying what can be a daunting and confusing process, and giving them to confidence to make a purchase.

The 2016 Cheapflights Inaugural Travel Awards featured a keynote address delivered by Enver Duminy, CEO of Cape Town Tourism, who provided insight into the current developments in Cape Town and surrounds.

Cheapflights.co.za also partnered with Africa Geographic and Travel Massive for the first time.

The winners of the 2016 Cheapflights Inaugural Travel Awards were:

Best Airport

OR Tambo International Airport

Best Airline Lounge:

Emirates at Cape Town International

Best Local Airline:

South African Airways

Best Airline in Africa:

Air Namibia

Best Int’l Airline:

Emirates

Best Car Hire:

Avis

Best Hotel Chain:

Tsogo Sun

Best City Boutique:

One & Only

SOUTH AFRICA: Drugs Impounded Again At OR Tambo International Airport

South African airport customs officials have confiscated male sexual enhancement tablets worth R20.6 million en route to Swaziland from India, the revenue service said.

Customs officers found 80,000 tablets and 126,000 oral jellies in transit sheds at Johannesburg’s OR Tambo International Airport on Sunday.

The pills were wrapped in brown sacks sent from Mumbai.

“These tablets are restricted and controlled substances and must have permits when being imported,” the South African Revenue Service (Sars) said in a statement.

“The shipment has been handed over to the Medical Council of South Africa for further investigation.”

Sars spokesperson Sandile Memela said the police would investigate who had sent the pills and the intended recipient.

Another man has been arrested in Grassy Park in connection with the possession of tik and cocaine.

The 45-year-old suspect was nabbed during police patrols in the area yesterday.

The police's Frederick van Wyk said: “When the suspect noticed our members he sped away.

A chase led by our members resulted in the suspect being apprehended.

The vehicle was searched and they found tik and a large quantity of money.

Upon further investigation our members were led to a South Field house where they discovered tik and cocaine.

The drugs have an estimated street value of R120,000.”

SOUTH AFRICA: SA Airlink Passengers Spend Night On benches At OR Tambo International Airport

SA Airlink passengers were forced to spend the night on the benches at OR Tambo International Airport after the airline “abandoned” them.

This is after their flight from Mthatha in the Eastern Cape on Tuesday night was rerouted due to weather conditions that were deemed too dangerous for landing.

The flight had left Joburg at 5pm and reached Mthatha at about 8pm when it was forced to turn around. About 40 passengers were on board.

According to several passengers who spoke to The Star, they were told that they would spend the night in Joburg, and shouldn’t panic because the airline would arrange accommodation for them.

After waiting for an hour at OR Tambo, SA Airlink staffers told them that the airline would not provide accommodation.

The flight attendant told them to be ready for the first (Wednesday) morning flight, departing at 6am.

Some of the passengers managed to call relatives or friends to fetch them. However, those who couldn’t make alternative arrangements were forced to sleep on the benches in the waiting areas.

“I am so disgusted with this pathetic service. You would think a company as big as SA Airlink would have a better crisis management mechanism. They do not value customers at all,” said Relebogile Tobia. “Some of us cannot afford to pay accommodation for the night,” she added.

Among the stranded were two pregnant women who were visibly exhausted from walking around the airport.

“SA Airlink is such a useless company. I am so mad at them. I cannot believe I am going to sleep on the chairs when I am this pregnant. I have already spent R3 000 on a ticket,” said Onesimo Maneli.

“I can’t say I will stop using them because they are the only airline doing the Mthatha to Joburg route. We have to fix this.”

Another heavily pregnant woman, Minah Yalezo, said she was so exhausted she could barely stand. “I am just out of words,SA Airlink is so poor, in fact it’s sickening,” she said.

Lucky Magingxa said he had been travelling with SA Express between Joburg and Mthatha for more than 10 years, and that during that time, the airline had provided accommodation when a flight was cancelled due to bad weather.

“They used to book accommodation for us when such situations happened. What is wrong now? We need answers because if we let it go, they get into the habit of taking customers for granted,” he said.

SOUTH AFRICA: 13 000 Tourists Barred From Entering South Africa, How Much Was Lost?

More than 13 000 tourists have been barred from entering South Africa because of the controversial regulation about having to travel with unabridged birth certificates for minors.

And 800 other passengers who flew into the country earlier this month missed their connecting flights because of lengthy delays at the immigration desks at OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg while officers were processing biometric details.

The figures were provided by the Tourism Business Council of South Africa (TBCSA) and presented at a Portfolio Committee on Tourism meeting in Parliament on Friday.

Now, James Vos, the DA spokesperson for tourism, who said yesterday that details about the number of barred tourists came from the airlines, plans to raise the issue in Parliament this week.

“I knew that we would lose tourists as a result of the unabridged birth certificate requirement, but I was horrified that 13 246 tourists were denied visiting South Africa from July 2015 to July,” he said.

The requirement, which aims to stop child trafficking, calls for single parents travelling with minor children to carry their full unabridged birth certificates, and in the event there is only one parent, he/she must also travel with an affidavit from the other parent giving permission for the children to travel to South Africa. If the missing parent has died, the mother/father must travel with the death certificate.

International airlines have been stopping families without the full birth certificates from boarding planes as they know they have to have them in South Africa.

Vos issued a statement at the weekend, saying that according to TBCSA, a tourist spends on average R13 000 a day, thus “our country has lost potential revenue of R7.51-billion.”

“This is absolutely tourism terminating, and the Minister of Home Affairs, Malusi Gigaba, was warned 18 months ago that this would happen.”

Proposed new immigration amendments say that immigration officers “may” ask for proof that the adult travelling with a child is a parent, but as tourism observers point out, this still means that adult passengers will still have to travel with the relevant documents.

Vos believes that an e-visa should be introduced, enabling passengers to provide documentation in advance, saying this would be safer and faster.

He plans to call on Parliament to scrap the need for an unabridged birth certificates and to consider the e-visa option.

The TBCSA meanwhile said it distanced itself from “all talk of legal action to force government to scrap the requirement” for the unabridged birth certificates.

TBCSA’s overall objective was to come up with lasting solutions that would provide certainty and “restore trade confidence in destination South Africa”, the organisation’s chief executive, Mmatsatsi Ramawela, said.

Vos also pointed out that TBCSA had revealed at the portfolio committee that because immigration officers were processing biometric details of incoming passengers, visitors had been standing in line at the immigration area at peak times for between 90 minutes to four hours.

SOUTH AFRICA: Deal With Immigration Delays Or Tourists Shun South Africa

Act now to clarify entry requirements and to address delays at Immigration at OR Tambo International Airport (ORTIA) or risk seriously harming the country's burgeoning tourism trade and the economy, says Erik Venter, CEO of Comair.

Recent weeks have seen thousands of visitors waiting for up to four hours to be processed, which has meant that hundreds have missed their connecting flights, despite landing at ORTIA in good time to board them. Venter says this is especially concerning as South Africa's tourism sector enters its busiest time of the year.

Venter says: “The delays at ORTIA Immigration are due to the introduction of biometric identification at Immigration, as well as staffing changes which have led to too few officials from the Department of Home Affairs manning the counters.

“We're participating in the task team that's working to address the situation and in ongoing contact with all stakeholders, but the airline industry and the travel and hospitality sector need the Department of Home Affairs to treat this as urgent to make significant progress on the matter in the next few weeks.

“Tourism to South Africa is set to grow by nearly 15 percent year-on-year in 2016, according to the Statistics South Africa, but making it difficult for visitors to travel to this country will reduce or potentially even cancel out those gains.”

South Africa is a popular destination, especially for visitors from the Northern Hemisphere - now entering winter - as well as the Far East and the rest of the African continent. This country has many attractions, underpinned by the favourable Rand exchange-rate, but these travellers are by no means short of choice, he adds.

Venter says it's also worrying that there's also widespread confusion among travellers and the travel industry over documentation requirements for visitors, to the detriment of the tourism sector, which has the potential to be a powerful driver of socioeconomic development in South Africa.

“A vibrant tourism sector has multiple benefits for our country: it supports economic growth in an environment where traditionally strong sectors like mining and manufacturing have faltered. Secondly, tourism is labour-intensive, so it creates jobs and enables skills transfer and transformation.

“Thirdly, tourism brings our country much-needed foreign exchange, helping to drive our balance of payments as effectively as a strong export sector would. That's why, for example, confusion over the required documentation for immigration needs to be clarified.”

Venter explains that, following the initial difficulties with unabridged birth certificates, it was announced that the requirements would be changed. This has led some stakeholders to assume that unabridged birth certificates are no longer required, but, he says, “To our knowledge those requirements remain in place.

“Obviously any state needs border controls, but visitors to and within South Africa deserve the best possible customer experience our country can offer. Comair is assisting customers who miss their connections by rebooking them on later flights or providing accommodation where necessary. But the sector simply cannot allow visitors to be inconvenienced by being denied boarding their flights, or needing to be re-accommodated, or being denied entry despite being assured that they had the right documentation.”

Venter suggests that the rigorous controls at South Africa's international airports indicate no evidence of child-trafficking into or of the country by air. “Child-trafficking is a scourge that must be quashed, but doing so requires focusing on our porous land borders, rather than airports.”

For the record, says Venter, the Department of Home Affairs has not changed its requirements for entry, despite having undertaken to review them. “As from 1 October 2014, all persons under the age of 18 years of age, arriving, transiting and/or departing from SA are required to produce an unabridged birth certificate indicating the biological parents of the minor. In the case where only one parent is travelling with the child/ren, a consent from the other parent in the form of an affidavit, is required.

“Alternatively, a court order granting full parental rights and responsibilities to the person travelling with the minor or a death certificate of the other biological parent must be produced. Airlines will be forced to refuse travel to families not in possession of these documents. These new regulations have been implemented to combat child trafficking.”

SOUTH AFRICA: Connectivity Between KwaZulu-Natal And Zambia Improves

Trade relations between KwaZulu-Natal and Zambia, the province's most significant trading partner in Africa, are set for an injection of growth as a result of the establishment of a direct air link between Durban and the Zambian capital, Lusaka.

Speaking at a function in Lusaka to mark the official launch of new direct air route, Mr Michael Mabuyakhulu, MEC for Economic Development and Tourism, said: "We recognise that in spite of the previous absence of direct flights between Lusaka and Durban, Zambia is, in fact, KwaZulu-Natal's largest trading partner in Africa. Exports from our Province to Zambia in 2012 were valued at R2,47 billion and represented a pleasing 14,8% of KwaZulu-Natal's total exports into Africa."

In addition, some 30% of all South African imports from the African continent were sourced in Zambia last year.

"We have a well-established trade platform between us, but with a regular and frequent direct air link in place, the potential to increase and enhance relations and trade activities are infinite," he added.

The reciprocal, give-and-take potential of tourist travel to the business mix, would provide an additional 'heady blend' of economic activity, which would benefit both Zambia and KwaZulu-Natal.

The four-times-a-week SA Express air route, using a 50-seater CRJ 200 jet aircraft, between Durban and Lusaka became commercially operational in July last year and has enjoyed steady support, but is not yet running at full capacity. Dube TradePort Corporation and SA Express signed an agreement in 2012 resulting in the airline using King Shaka International Airport as its launch-pad into countries comprising the Southern African Development Community (SADC).

The move was designed to unlock key markets for the benefit of KwaZulu-Natal in targeted countries during the next two to three years, through the vigorous promotion of business and leisure travel, as well as trade and investment activities.

Mr Mabuyakhulu said the official launch function had provided the opportunity for role-players and decision-makers to come together, 'enabling still greater engagement with one another from an investment, business and leisure perspective.'

He led an appeal to business and tourism decision-makers in both KwaZulu-Natal and Zambia to 'give serious consideration as to how best to utilise SA Express flights between Lusaka and Durban to their own and their business advantage.'

"There exists a very real opportunity for us, jointly, to realise the true potential of our respective markets, creating new investment, business and tourism channels, platforms and alliances between us," he added.

In an attempt to further cement business relations between KwaZulu-Natal and Zambia, the celebratory launch function was also used to sign a Memorandum of Understanding between the Durban Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Lusaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Mr Mabuyakhulu said: "The intention is to facilitate increased trade and business activity between members of these respective bodies, as well as other stakeholders. Co-operation between the two Chambers will also foster mutual understanding and awareness of available business opportunities in Lusaka and Durban."

The agreement was also set to pave the way for skills transfer and knowledge-sharing initiatives, while creating a platform for delegation exchanges and the identification of potential joint projects.

Mr Mabuyakhulu described the new direct air route as having 'huge potential' and one destined for significant growth, adding: "We are confident that the business community will find this an ever more attractive proposition, while leisure travellers will come to realise just how close and alluring the waters of the Indian Ocean really are."

Commenting on ongoing air connectivity initiatives, Ms Saxen van Coller, Dube TradePort Corporation's Chief Executive Officer, said: " We are working to significantly increase direct regional and international air services to and from Durban in an effort to transform this region into South Africa’s primary alternative gateway. We have developed a five-year strategy designed to identify and attract a growing number of carriers to utilise Durban’s King Shaka International Airport. An important player in this endeavour is, of course, SA Express with its commitment to linking Durban directly with a host of SADC countries, a move which creates endless new possibilities for our and Zambia's business and tourism communities."

Indications are that significant demand for international travel to and from Greater Durban exists, impacting on a large number of destinations world-wide. Statistics demonstrate that this market has grown by more than 70% in the past five years, although only 20% of passengers are able to fly internationally to and from King Shaka International Airport directly. The vast majority must still utilise domestic flights to or from Johannesburg's OR Tambo International Airport so as to connect to or from international destinations.

“The launch of the Lusaka route increases connectivity with Dube TradePort, assisting in the generation of economic efficiencies for business. Dube TradePort is the core of this airport-based business location, an area we are developing as a sustainable operating environment and one which provides for superior business growth and economic development,” said Ms van Coller.

The introduction of direct air routes to land-locked countries in the SADC region provide for the growth of new tourism markets and the provincial authority, Tourism KwaZulu-Natal, is intensifying its promotional activities in these areas.

Tourism KwaZulu-Natal Chief Executive Officer, Mr Ndabo Khoza, said of the Lusaka route: "Based on global travel trends, some 80% of inbound travellers emanate from regions within a four-hour flying radius and we have accordingly identified a need to actively address access to and by markets in the important SADC countries around South Africa.

We recognise that KwaZulu-Natal has a unique offering for the benefit of such markets… our golden beaches, warm Indian Ocean waters and year-round warmth. We are intent on robustly promoting our province in such markets, selling the beach experience, creating a platform for the benefit of new African tourists to Durban and KwaZulu-Natal."

Mr Phillip Sithole, Chief Executive Officer of Durban Tourism, added: “Durban’s key offerings like Ushaka Marine World, Moses Mabhida Stadium, The Beach Experience and the world class shopping malls are unique selling points to capture the Africa Market. We need to just start working with inbound Tour Operators to aggressively market “packaged tours" and increase our destination marketing initiatives.”

Mr Zamo Gwala, Chief Executive Officer of Trade & Investment KwaZulu-Natal, stressed: "Our province has a high export bias and an elevated industrial concentration. We make every effort to create and sustain an investment environment to the ultimate advantage of the local economy, investors and traders. With the implementation of the Durban-Lusaka air route, our organisation will work to harness the unquestionable benefits of synergistic linkages through the promotion of strategic partnerships, in line with the tactical business objectives of KwaZulu-Natal's Provincial Growth and Development Strategy."

Mr Andrew Layman, the Durban Chamber of Commerce and Industry's Chief Executive Officer, said of the SA Express Durban-Lusaka air link: “We consider a direct route from Durban to Lusaka to be of tremendous value to those local businesses which are already trading in Zambia, or wish to do so in the future. We commend Dube TradePort and SA Express for providing new African links to Durban business people.”

Akash Singh, the President of the Durban Chamber, said: “We are very excited to see how Government is working hard to create an enabling environment for business. It is now time that business seize the opportunity and work even harder at increasing the current R2 billion cross border trade. Access to market is the single biggest inhibitor to business and in this case Government has made this possible.”

The Durban Chamber of Commerce and Industry signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Lusaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry during this visit. By the signing of this Memorandum, organised business both in Durban and Lusaka signify their intention to jointly pursue increased trade and business activity between their members and/or stakeholders to derive mutual economic benefit for their respective countries.

Mr Mabuyakhulu said: "In KwaZulu-Natal we have a leading and highly competitive destination; a destination of choice now for stakeholders in Zambia's business and tourist sectors. Direct flights introduced by SA Express provide the springboard necessary for taking existing and prospective new business dealings between KwaZulu-Natal and Zambia to an altogether new level.

This is an exciting prospect and one which brings with it the opportunity for hugely intensified trade relations and a brand new platform for quick and affordable tourist travel."

SOUTH AFRICA: 33 Lions Roar Into South Africa

It was the last time the 33 lions rescued by British charity Animal Defenders International (ADI) would be caged. But this time, the cages brought them to freedom - they are now finally in the 'Motherland', South Africa.

The roaring of lions echoed through OR Tambo international airport on Saturday when they arrived. ADI President Jan Creamer said, "The lions appeared healthy, but a little distressed by the long journey".

The lions' gruelling flight journey from South America was delayed in Brazil, and their arrival postponed with more than six hours. But despite the hold-ups, the lions arrived at their new home, Emoya Big Cat Sanctuary in Limpopo, just after midnight on Worker's Day, 1 May 2016.

"Spirit of Freedom Flight touched down in Johannesburg around 18:00 on Saturday, 30 April", where after the lions were trucked to the 5 000 hectare Big Cat Sanctuary and released.

The lions were originally expected to land at OR Tambo International Airport at 13:30 on Saturday.

The lions have come a long way from their life as abused, broken, circus cats to find freedom in SA.

Their previous caged lives would now hopefully be a distant memory as they live out their days in Emoya Big Cat Sanctuary.

Creamer said "These lions have endured hell on earth and now they are heading home to paradise. This is the environment for which these animals were intended. It is the perfect ending to ADI’s Spirit of Freedom mission which has eliminated circus suffering in another country.”

The Emoya Big Cat Sanctuary was opened by Savannah Heuser in 2012 when she was just 16 years old. The sanctuary has a no breeding policy and is not open to the public.

7 Top Airports In Africa

Kenya’s Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, Nairobi, and Addis Ababa Bole International Airport, Ethiopia, were conspicuously missing in the top seven ranked airports in Africa.

The latest ranking according to a Post by Morrocan Soldier on the very popular online Video site Youtube, OR Tambo International Airport , South Africa topped the list as the number one airport in Africa with a yearly passenger traffic of 21, 264,000.

The OR Tambo International Airport is South Africas leading international airport which is situated in Kempton Park , Johannesburg in Gauteng.

Mohammed V international Airport, Casablanca, Morocco followed closely in the second position with yearly passenger traffic of 17, 271, 302. Mohammed V International Airport is located in Morocco about 30 kilometers southeast of Casablanca. It is operated by ONDA (National Airports Office)

Cairo International Airport, Egypt occupied the third position with yearly passenger traffic of 12, 736, 394.

Cairo International Airport is the international airport of Cairo and the busiest in Egypt and serves as the primary hub for EgyptAir and EgyptAir Express as well as several other airlines.

Cape Town International Airport sat comfortably in the fourth position with passenger traffic of 11, 2346, 223.

Cape Town International Airport is the primary airport serving the city of Cape Town, and is the second busiest airport in South Africa.

The Marrakesh Mencph-airport-2ara Airport, Morocco came fifth with a yearly passenger traffic of 7,775, 531.

Marrakesh Menara Airport is an international airport serving Marrakesh, the capital city of the Marrakesh-Tensift-El Haouz region in Morocco.

Murtala Muhammed International Airport is an international airport located in Ikeja, Lagos State, Nigeria, and is the major airport serving the city of Lagos.

It is the busiest airport in Murtala-Muhammed-International-Airport-Lagos Nigeria. Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos is at the sixth position with yearly passenger traffic of 6, 394, 431.

Houari Boumediene Airport, also known as Algiers Airport or Algiers International Airport, is an international airport serving Algiers, the capital of Algeria.

It is located 9.1 NM east southeast of the city. Houari Boumediene Airport, Algiers, Algeria is at the seventh position with 5, 124, 211

BOTSWANA: Botswana In Berlin Gets Up Southern Africa Tourism

Southern Africa’s tourism industry is expected to receive a large boost with the news that South African neighbouring country Botswana has pulled “a fast one on other African tourist destinations” by becoming the first country on the continent to become a partner of the largest travel trade show in the world, ITB Berlin 2017.

The breakthrough follows an exclusive agreement between the world’s leading travel trade show and Botswana. The agreement was signed by Botswana Tourism Minister H E Tshekedi Khama II and Dr Christian Göke, CEO of Messe Berlin GmbH.

According to Tshekedi Khama, the Botswana Tourism Organisation has taken the opportunity to become the partner country of ITB Berlin 2017 to be able to share Botswana and Southern Africa’s nature conservation achievements with the rest of the world. The gateway to Botswana is South Africa as most international airlines fly via OR Tambo International Airport in Gauging, with many western tourists expected to spend some time in South Africa as well.

“Botswana’s role as the partner country of the world’s largest travel trade show will ensure the long-term attention of the global tourism industry.”

Pan-African website AfriTree.com quotes David Ruetz, head of ITB Berlin, who said Botswana is Africa’s best-kept secret. Two contrasting natural features characterise this country: the Kalahari Desert and the Okavango Basin with its many animal species, large forests, and innumerable streams that empty into small lakes.”

He said the partnership will not only place the spotlight on Botswana’s tourism successes but will also focus attention worldwide on the ITB’s potential for economic development.

“In the past Botswana has achieved great success that has remained largely unnoticed around the world. Botswana will also benefit from this year’s 50th anniversary of ITB Berlin,” said Tshekedi Khama. “Numerous activities and events will give us the opportunity to market and promote our country as a tourism destination and to improve our returns on investment.”

In 2016 Botswana celebrated 50 years of independence. Often referred to as one of the last remaining gems of Africa, the country was quick to realise its potential as a tourism destination. The Republic of Botswana has been exhibiting at ITB Berlin every year since 1984, in an aim to make people around the world aware of its special attractions.

At ITB Berlin 2017 Botswana, as the partner country of the show, will be organising the opening event on 7 March 2017, and from 8 to 12 March 2017 will be entertaining visitors to ITB Berlin with a wide-ranging programme of events.