Choma, Zambia

Choma
City

Location of Choma in Zambia
Choma
Location in Zambia
Coordinates: 16°49′00″S 26°58′30″E / 16.81667°S 26.97500°E / -16.81667; 26.97500
Country Zambia
Province Southern Province
District Choma District
Population (2010 Census)[1]
 • Total 58,825

Choma is a market town and capital of the Southern Province of Zambia, lying on the main road and railway from Lusaka to Livingstone. It is home to a small museum dedicated to the cultural heritage of the Tonga people of southern Zambia. The population of Choma is said to be about 247,860 people and it serves as the commercial hub for the central region of the province. The Nkanga River Conservation Area lies nearby.

Choma is also the headquarters of a district of the same name. Most of the district lies at 1400 metres above sea level.

Climate

Choma has the typical climate of southern Zambia with temperatures between 14 °C and 28 °C and sunshine ranging between 9 and 12 hours per day. The highest temperatures occur between the beginning of October and the end of December. Once the rains start, temperatures tend to fall, partly because of the rain and partly due to the often heavy cloud cover. The lowest temperatures are usually recorded in June and July.

The rains generally start in the middle of October and continue through up to the beginning of April. Rainfall reaches its peak around January after which it diminishes slightly up to the beginning of April when usually it ceases entirely. Choma has an average rainfall of 800 mm of which 369 mm falls in January and February. There are variations in total rainfall and rainfall patterns from year to year and even in a particular season. These variations can have a major impact on crop yield. Humidity falls to about 33% until the onset of rains in October after which it skyrockets to about 77% in February. Humidity nosedives once the rains cease in April. The wind is predominantly from the east and south-west, and to a lesser degree from the north-east. The strength of the wind from these directions can be comparatively strong.

Education

Choma has a range of both state-funded and private schools.

Some of the state funded schools include;

1. Choma Day Secondary School

2. Choma Secondary School(a mission school)

3. Chuundu Day Secondary School

4. Batoka Secondary School

5. Masuku Secondary School(a mission school)

6. Macha girls' Secondary School( a mission school)

7. Njase girls' Secondary School( a mission school)

8. St. Marks Boys Secondary School( a mission school)

9. Swan Comprehensive School

Secondary[2] and Choma Trades Training Institute.[3] Choma is also home to St Mulumba's Special School,[2] named after the Ugandan Saint Matiya Mulumba. Government investment has increased in Choma since the late president Sata made it the administrative capital for Southern Province[4] with reports suggesting a new university will be built in the town.[5]

Culture

Nightlife

Choma is home to a number of bars and nightclubs including Club Leelove former Chobro Masaka Nightclub,[6] DC Nite Club[7] and Choma Hotel & Bar[8] and has hosted performances from Zambian artists including Macky 2,[6] Petersen[9] and Mampi.[10]

Food

There are a variety of restaurants, cafes and street food stalls in Choma, including Wonderbake,[11] Rachael's Lodge[12] and PMB Snacklite (in the gardens of Choma Museum).[13] The main market, Makalanguzu, also sells ingredients and traditional street food, including fish, grains, tobacco leaves and roasted corn.[14]

Sport

Choma is home to the MTN super division club,Green Eagles.

Other teams like Choma Stars where recently promoted from division 3 into division 1 league.

Tourism

Home to Choma Museum, a local market and numerous lodges, bars and restaurants.[15]

International Volunteering

Since 2012,[16] Choma has hosted successive teams of VSO youth volunteers working in the areas of health, education and environment.[17][18][19][20]

Namesakes

There are a number of other towns in Zambia with the same name.

Notable residents

  • Malilwe Malilwe - Entrepreneur/Change maker/ Political builder

Rodwell Nzoolo-Prominent Youth Politician Nathan Chitelela- Non Profit Leader

See also

References

  1. ↑ Zambia Central Statistical Office. "2010 Census Migration and Urbanization Report". Retrieved 26 May 2018.
  2. 1 2 "Zambia Public Directory - Schools in Choma".
  3. ↑ "Kaschoolu - Colleges and Courses in Zambia".
  4. ↑ "Zambia Daily Mail - Choma: New capital on fast growth path".
  5. ↑ "Lusaka Times - Government to Construct A University in Choma".
  6. 1 2 "Zambian Daily Mail - Macky II Performs and Chobro Masaka Nighclub in Choma".
  7. ↑ "Zambian Eye - Visit to DC's".
  8. ↑ "Zambian Eye - Visit to Choma Hotel".
  9. ↑ "Petersen Sets Choma's Chobro Masaka Ablaze with his Job 13:13 album". 2012-10-21. Retrieved 2016-08-21.
  10. ↑ "Notice board: Top Musicians Spice MHT Show". myhometown-noticboard.blogspot.co.uk. Retrieved 2016-08-21.
  11. ↑ McIntyre, Chris. Zambia. Bradt.
  12. ↑ "Racheal's Lodge proves superiority in hospitality | Zambia News Network | Latest Zambia News Online". zambianewsnetwork.com. Retrieved 2016-08-21.
  13. ↑ "PMB Snacklite · Travel breaks · The Best of Zambia". Retrieved 2016-08-21.
  14. ↑ "Its unacceptable, the biggest market in Choma has no toilet – Aspiring MP | Zambian Eye". zambianeye.com. Retrieved 2016-08-21.
  15. ↑ "The Choma Museum - Preserving The Tonga Heritage!". Retrieved 2017-10-24.
  16. ↑ Cumber, Robert (2012-08-09). "Young people volunteering overseas win praise from MP". Retrieved 2016-08-21.
  17. ↑ "- Megan's unforgettable Zambian experience". Rotherham Advertiser. Retrieved 2016-08-21.
  18. ↑ "The Big Choice - Case Study" (PDF).
  19. ↑ "VSO ICS Zambia - Choma and Nyimba".
  20. ↑ "Choma gets 24 Zambian/UK youth volunteers | Zambia Daily Mail". www.daily-mail.co.zm. Retrieved 2016-08-21.
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