An advert has appeared in the Weekend Times of 17-23 July 2021 advertising a Public Hearing for what is presumed to be this project, however only the district Mangochi is mentioned and not Nkhudzi or the World Heritage Site.  (See Below) Several weeks have passed with no official news regarding the project and the only assessment team witnessed on the ground the “museum team” hired by SRWB. We have expressed our concerns as to the validity of the process and have requested that the “new” ESIA is provided digitally online so it can be viewed by all concerned, for reasons which include the present Covid situation, and the fact that this concerns a WORLD Heritage Site of international concern - the views and objections of all must be heard.
If the schedule continues as advertised and takes place as stated, we would appreciate all those prepared to take the risk and make the effort to attend the hearings and support Lake Malawi.
Furthermore it has been brought to our attention that the date of the July the 21st is EID and a public holiday - this is the day when public hearings are also scheduled for the Mangochi area. (Please can all stakeholders affected by this conflict with their holiday, express their views in writing to the email addresses in the advert with a copy to lakeshepherd@protonmail.com.)

In the meantime we have made some remarkable discoveries, especially with regards to the archeological and historical importance of the Nkhudzi Hills and Namaso Bay Area. We have unearthed many old papers of archeological work which have provided evidence that this area is indeed of great historical importance. The people and organizations that originally published these papers have been contacted, and they have pledged their support to have the project moved to an alternative hill nearby outside the World Heritage Site.

Interesting historical points;

-          Nkhudzi Hill is classified as a rainmaking mountain, where ceremonies were conducted during years of extreme drought to ‘call the rain’ as evidenced by pottery and burial discoveries throughout Southern Africa located on a few particular mountains which all share the same features; prominent, high, steep sided, and not ideal for habitation. The pottery shards were dated to correlate with extreme years of drought (3-5 years). The earliest shards found here have been dated back to as early as 900 AD. (Intensive El Niño and the Iron Age of South-eastern Africa - Thomas N. Huffman)

-          Nkhudzi Ware is an actual archeological date point.

-          The area has been inhabited since approximately 250AD by multiple civilizations, the Akafula, the Bisa, the Amaravi, the Kalongas and others.

-          Namaso Bay skeleton, discovered in 1984 by R Crossley. The discovery presenting a lot of evidence of Malawi old history and movements. A new intermediate phase of ceramics, derived from the Nkope pottery tradition was noticed then, and named after the bay, Namaso-ware. (Lithics after Stone Age in East Africa Wadh Lang’o case study – Oula Seitsonen)

-          In 1965 a group of rich burials of possibly ‘royal’ Kalonga affiliations were excavated in Nkhudzi Bay by Mr R R Innskeep, one of the leading archeologists in Southern Africa. As stated in his papers ‘in addition to a wide range of indigenous products, it(the cemetery) contains complete objects which can be dated from historical contexts. Such sites are rare and assume a particular interest to archeologists. Little is known of the Iron Age cultures of Malawi, but the Nkhudzi excavations have added much to our knowledge of the peoples inhabiting south-central Malawi during the 19th century.’

-          Many beads and pottery shards and human remains have been found in the waters of Nkhudzi point over the years, as well as Namaso Bay, some are displayed at the Museum in Mangochi but most are in private collections and museums abroad.  Some of these beads are extremely rare and indicate early trade and that they were indeed a people of great importance.

-          The site of the proposed tank due to its location, topography and commanding defensive position would have provided the ancestors with a perfect location for a settlement or defensive position controlling the shortest route between the two bays, overlooking both directions for miles and covering the natural harbors on each side, which it is documented that trading Dhows used to use as ports. The Nkhudzi side providing shelter from Mpoto (north)wind and the Namaso side of the headland shelter from Mwera (south) wind. The flat area in the saddle of the mountain chosen for the tank site could have been where the valuable goods like gold, ivory, beads and slaves were stored in a stockade.

-          For a period of 400 years many thousands of African souls are believed to have been transported into slavery across the lake to ships waiting on the Mozambique coast via these natural ports. Ivory and Chewa slaves are documented to have been the main export.

-          The Chief of Namaso reports that a major battle against the Zulu’s defining the future of the area was won on this mountain, perhaps the saddle is the location. We can already be certain that at one point in time there was a human settlement there. 

-          There has been much speculation into the whereabouts of the kraal of Muzara, the man who formed the state north of Zambezi known as the Empire of Maravi. Papers suggest that it could be on the south western lake shore. Its exact location is yet to be discovered (Father Mariana’s 1624 Description of Lake Malawi and the identity of the Maravi Emperor Muzura – Matthew Shoffeleers)

-          The Nkhudzi mountain has many large rock shelters and unstable huge boulders, due to these characteristics which are similar to other mountains with rock art, it is expected that the mountain hosts multiple undiscovered rock painting sites. A new discovery of a rock shelter with rock paintings was discovered in the immediate area of the project since the stop order.

All these discoveries can be considered a clear confirmation that indeed the location is of considerable historical value. It has the potential to reveal treasured information and the proof much required to contribute to the little known, indigenous Malawi history and events pre Livingstone.

We have also used this time to compile a list of the threatened and endangered species that can be found on the Nkhudzi hills, and contacted various organizations to make them aware of the threat. We have received letters of support from them too. The mountain serves as a haven for wildlife, as the surrounding mountains have been badly deforested in recent years, especially since the removal of the Phirilongwe elephants.

-          Of critical importance the critically endangered Pangolin, we have recorded two reliable pangolin sitings in past years and the African Pangolin Working Group are aware and concerned.

-          Klipspringers, side striped Jackal, Porcupine, serval cat, bush pig and red bush squirrel are also in the area and are all listed as threatened and may provide sufficient cause for the project to be relocated.

-          A total of 321 species of birds have been recorded on the peninsula, representing 50% of Malawi’s avifauna. Species under threat that have been reported in the area are African pitta, Palm nut Vulture,  Green Malkoha and Bohms Bee Eaters.

-          The mountain is one of the only nesting sites for the Black Eagle in the area.

-          The elusive Pels Fishing Owls highly sought by birders nest in the valley.

-          The area also hosts a scorpion Uroplectes Malawicus – Malawi Lesser Thick-Tail, which is only found in two locations on earth, Monkey Bay and Nkudzi Mountain. Monkey bay is developing fast, Nkudzi Mountain is a location where they could flourish if undisturbed.

-          The area is primarily protected and declared a World Heritage Site due to the unique species of fish that are only found on Nkhudzi Headland and no where else on earth, the sediment caused by the inevitable erosion due to the project is a major threat to marine life, so are the chemicals that may be released by the treatment plant.

-          The 300m stainless steel pier into the lake for the intake is also a great concern for multiple reasons.

We are not against providing people with the option of purchasing treated water however we do not feel it should impact on a unique world heritage area.

Progress means gaining something extra not trading one thing for the other.

If the project goes ahead in the World Heritage Site the Malawian people will certainly be the ultimate losers.

Yes those who can afford piped water should have the option of connecting, however it should not be at the expense of Malawi’s Heritage, much of which lies undiscovered.

Lake Malawi has enormous tourism potential. The resource must be maintained, groomed and marketed well.

Extraction and desecration cannot continue, important resources need to be maintained and respected.

Providing piped water at a price instead of ensuring the lake remains fit to drink and safe for tourists to swim in is not the way forwards and cannot be considered progressive.

Moving the project to one of the available alternative locations is the only way forward that makes sense for Malawi and respects its heritage.

As stated in the UNESCO document nominating LMNP for world heritage status, October 1983

 “Lake Malawi National Park qualifies under several criteria for designation as a World Heritage Site. With over 500 species of fish and with the pronounced endemism which exceeds 90%, the fauna of Lake Malawi is unmatched in the world (criteria iv). The site also qualifies under criteria 11 as an significant example of biological evolution. Adaptive radiation and speciation within the lake is so impressive that, from an evolutionary point of view, Lake Malawi's fish are of ,,/ equivalent or greater value to science as the Darwin finches of the Galapagos Islands or the Honeycreepers of Hawaii. The park, as well, is an area of exceptional natural beauty set in the background of the Rift Valley escarpment, with its islands and clear, deep waters (criteria iii).”

Thank you for supporting Lake Malawi

For those unable to access the advert, these are the details stated therein-

The public hearings are to be held at the following venues, dates and times,

-Mangochi Boma - Municipal Council Hall - 21st July 9am

-Maldeco, Mangochi - La Riviera Lodge - 21st July 2pm

-Monkey Bay - Community development (ICEIDA) - 22nd July - 9am

- Lilongwe- Capital Hotel - 23rd July - 9am

For enquiries and submission of comments please contact - Linda Kalolokesya on 0999372273 or Biswick Mlaviwa on 0995666134 from MEPA or Rita Makwangwala (PRO) on 0888358500 from Southern Region Waterboard. Emails can be sent to the following addresses - lindiwekalolo@gmail.com and bismlaviwa@gmail.com