Happy TravellerWelcome to Mansa, the capital of the Luapula Province of Zambia and headquarters of Mansa District. This charming city takes its name from the local Chief Mansa and the small Mansa River which flows west to the Luapula River. During British rule, the city was named Fort Rosebery.
Situated on a relatively featureless plateau between the Luapula River to the west and Lake Bangweulu to the east, Mansa serves administrative and commercial functions. In a province of beautiful rivers, waterfalls, lakes, and wetlands, Mansa is well-positioned and connected to the Congo Pedicle road (and eventually the Copperbelt Province) in the south and to Luwingu and Kasama in the north-east by the M3 road. It is also connected to Kawambwa by the M13 road.
Mansa has a rich history dating back to colonial times when it was called Fort Rosebery, named for Lord Rosebery, who was Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 5 March 1894 to 22 June 1895. The town was also the capital of the province. The first Fort Rosebery, however, was situated in the Luapula Valley around 1900, where most of the province’s population live, near Mambilima. After an outbreak of sleeping sickness in the valley some years later, it was moved to the present site in the belief that the higher plateau site would be healthier. The Luapula Province developed in the mid-20th century on the supply of fish, agricultural produce, and labor to Zambia’s industrial center, the Copperbelt, and Mansa developed with it as an administrative and distribution center.
Over the last twenty years, the town has grown considerably in population but not in prosperity since a decrease in employment in the mines of the Copperbelt forced a return to the land in areas such as the Luapula Province. Mansa lacks industries since the battery factory closed in 1994, and in the absence of employment opportunities, chitemene (a form of subsistence farming) has degraded the surrounding woodlands appreciably. Nevertheless, as a commercial hub serving the whole province, the town is home to a daily market, banks, warehouses, a number of large stores and dealers, and a Shoprite supermarket.
Mansa’s climate is tropical, with a rainy season from November to April and a dry season from May to October. Although only 50 km east from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and cut off from the Copperbelt by the Congo Pedicle, Mansa does not have direct trade links to that country. Wars and frequent conflict in the Congo over the past fifty years have frequently hindered the development of Mansa. The Luapula which forms the border is crossed by a passenger ferry to the northwest at Kasenga, and by a bridge to the south at Chembe, but this connects through Congolese territory via Zambia’s notorious and frequently impassable Congo Pedicle road only to the Copperbelt. Other roads on the Congolese side are severely degraded, consequently some Congolese trade passes on Zambian roads through Mansa, such as the output of the Dikulushi Copper Mine west of Lake Mweru. Otherwise, trade with the Congo is restricted to local produce and smuggling across the river.
Mansa Airport (IATA: MNS) is a paved airstrip servicing Mansa twice a week by Proflight Zambia. Public transport is restricted to buses traveling between towns on the main highways listed above. With peace in the Congo, a bridge named after the late President Levy Patrick Mwanawasa was constructed across the Luapula River at Chembe to bypass the Chembe ferry. Currently, the Congo Pedicle Road is being tarred to improve Mansa’s access to the Copperbelt, and may also increase trade between Kasama and the Copperbelt. The road to the Mwanawasa Bridge at Chembe (and eventually the Congo Pedicle road) in the south and to Luwingu and Kasama in the northeast is designated as the M3 road. The road to the resort town of Samfya (and eventually the Luapula Bridge to Central Province) in the east is designated as the D94 road.
Mansa has several attractions that are worth visiting. The Mansa Catholic Cathedral is a beautiful building that is a must-visit for anyone interested in religious architecture. The Mansa Hotel is a great place to stay and enjoy the local hospitality. The Mumbuluma Falls is a breathtaking waterfall that is a popular spot for picnics and hiking. The Mansa School of Nursing and Mansa Trades Training Institute (M.T.T.I) are also worth visiting for those interested in education and training.
Mansa is also home to the Program for Luapula Agriculture and Rural Development (PLARD) which is aimed at increasing income and food security for the people of Luapula Province by improving the institutional capacity of MAL at the provincial and district levels. The province covers more than 50,000 km2 and has a population approaching one million people. MAL provincial and district structures implement the program in the seven original districts of Luapula (four additional districts were created in 2012) working in 87 out of 179 agricultural camps, and 137 VFMCs. PLARD II overall objective is: To achieve an efficient, competitive and sustainable agricultural and fisheries sector, ensuring increased income and food security for the people of Luapula Province. The program has five components plus a crosscutting issues component: 1. Agribusiness, 2. Agriculture, 3. Capture Fisheries, 4. Livestock and Aquaculture, 5. Institutional and Organizational Development of MAL at provincial and district levels, and 6. Crosscutting Objectives that focus particularly on gender, HIV/AIDS, vulnerable groups, and environment/climate change.
In conclusion, Mansa is a hidden gem that is often overlooked in favor of its more famous neighbors. However, this charming city boasts a rich history, breathtaking landscapes, and mouthwatering local cuisine. With its well-positioned location and several attractions, Mansa is a must-visit destination for anyone interested in exploring the beauty of Zambia.
