TE: What is your name, where are you from and what do you do?
KATONGO: My name is Katongo Temba, I am a Zambian born singer/songwriter, bred and based in England.
TE: How would you describe your musical style?
KATONGO: I would describe my musical style as a fusion of Afropop and R&B.
TE: Who were some of your early influences?
KATONGO: I grew up listening to alot of African music and inevitably was influenced by many African artists, including Lucky Dube, Miriam Makeba and Koffi Olomide. However, my father had very eclectic taste in music, in fact he still does, so i was exposed to and heavily influenced by various vocalists such as Mariah Carey, Toni Braxton and Celine Dion as well as country singers like Dolly Parton and Don Williams and soul legends such asThe Temptations and Aretha Franklin.
TE: You grew up in the UK. What memories do you have of Zambia and what’s your connection with Zambia now?
KATONGO: Zambia is still very much home to me. My family and I go there as often as we can, the last time i was there was summer 2011. Much of my family is in Zambia at present, so i am still very connected to my Zambian roots.
TE: For someone planning to go to Zambia for the first time, where do you suggest a newcomer visit?
KATONGO: I would highly recommend that anyone visiting Zambia for the first time visit the amazing Victoria Falls and stay at a lovely hotel like the Zambezi Sun. There are several others of course, but that’s one that i tend to enjoy when i visit the falls. In addition to that, i would suggest visitors go to some of the safari parks near the falls, or anywhere in Zambia and also visit Lake Kariba. I have very fond memories of visiting these places when i was young, and i am sure that any newcomer to Zambia would enjoy visiting these places too.
TE: What can fans expect next from Katongo Temba?
KATONGO: I have my album coming out next year, and at the end of this year i have more music video and performances for fans to look forward to and enjoy.
TE: Good luck Katongo! We look forward to hearing more from you.
The road from south to north Botswana is good and fast. You have two options when you reach the north/east edge of Botswana. You can continue on the bus directly over the bridge to Kazungula in Zambia, and from there to Lusaka. Or you can enter Zimbabwe and take a taxi through Zambezi National Park to Victoria Falls. From there you walk across the bridge to Zambia and take a taxi to Livingstone. Bus from Livingstone to Lusaka is non-stop 8 hours.
I strongly recommend to make some stop-overs. Try Vic Falls, even though the Zimbabwe visa on arrival is 30 USD. Taxi from the border to the town is 30 USD (45 minutes drive) through the amazing Zambezi National Park. And Victoria Falls is just great.
I will be in Livingstone, Zambia for several weeks (more like a month). Can anyone recommend comfortable lodging? Also, should I be concerned about yellow fever?
I don’t think you’d have a problem but if I were you I would get it and carry your certification just to be on the safe side.