The launch of the MV Silverstone is expected to restore transport links between Kariba and isolated fishing communities along the Lake Kariba shoreline, provid...
The launch of the MV Silverstone is expected to restore transport links between Kariba and isolated fishing communities along the Lake Kariba shoreline, providing passenger and cargo services along the critical Kariba-Chalala corridor.
The vessel, owned by Most High Ferries proprietor Hillary Mangove, will operate on a route that includes Musamba Fishing Camp and Kings Camp. The service is expected to help address the transport gap left after the Mbuya Nehanda vessel capsized in the August 11 ferry disaster, which claimed 97 lives.
The introduction of the MV Silverstone comes more than a month after the disaster, which left communities along the Lake Kariba shoreline facing severe transport challenges. Residents, fishermen, traders and families depend on lake transport to move between communities and access markets, food supplies, health services and other essential services.
Mangove said the new service was not intended to replace the RIDA Mbuya Nehanda but to cover the gap created by the August 11 incident. “We are not coming as a replacement of the RIDA Mbuya Nehanda but to cover the gap that it left after the sad 11 August incident,” he said.
Operations are expected to begin once the vessel’s permits have been finalised. Until then, communities affected by the loss of regular ferry services continue to face difficulties moving people and goods along the lake. The planned service will provide a transport link between Kariba and isolated fishing communities.
Lake Kariba is an important economic lifeline for communities around its shoreline. Fishing, fish trading and related businesses depend on access to the lake and the ability to move people and goods between fishing camps and markets.
However, road access to some of these communities is difficult, expensive or impossible, making lake transport an important part of daily economic activity. The loss of regular ferry services has therefore affected fishermen, fish traders and families who depend on transport across the lake.
Fish traders have struggled to move their catch to markets, while fishermen have faced difficulties travelling to and from fishing camps. Families have also encountered challenges accessing food, medicines and other basic necessities following the disruption to the regular transport service.
Speaking at the launch, Ministry of Transport Permanent Secretary Joy Makumbe, who was represented by Director of Legal Services Kingston Magaya, said the August disaster had shown the risks associated with relying heavily on a single operator along a critical transport corridor.
“Lake Kariba is too important to depend on one operator,” Makumbe said. “Had there been alternative operators on the Kariba-Chalala corridor, the economic shock after 11 August would have been minimal.” She added: “Liberalisation of transport corridors is very critical. Government cannot do it alone.”
The MV Silverstone is therefore expected to provide an additional transport service along the Kariba-Chalala corridor, with stops at Musamba Fishing Camp and Kings Camp. Once its permits are finalised and operations begin, the passenger and cargo vessel will provide a link for communities that rely on Lake Kariba for transport, fishing, trading and access to essential services.
