Zambia’s tourism minister has offered to bungee-jump with the Australian woman who plunged into the Zambezi River after her cord snapped in two.
Given Lubinda has already leapt off the Victoria Falls bridge in an effort to restore Zambia’s battered image.
Video footage showing the 22-year-old Erin Langworthy plunging head-first into the rapids became an overnight online sensation.
Tourism is a major money-spinner in Zambia, creating many much-needed jobs.
The minister made his bungee jump on Sunday – to quell safety fears after the news of the snapped bungee rope spread around the world.
He said he had heard that Ms Langworthy was planning to return to Zambia.
The Australian, who jumped on New Year’s Eve, escaped with just cuts, bruises and a broken collarbone after surviving the fall of 110 metres (360ft).
She had to swim with her feet tied together to the Zimbabwean side of the water, and had to free the cord when it got caught on rocks.
Mr Lubinda, who says he is approaching 50, told the BBC’s Focus on Africa programme it was his responsibility as tourism minister to be the “guinea pig” and “take the risk” in order to restore people’s faith in bungee-jumping and in Zambia’s tourism.
“I am hoping that all those who watched a middle-aged person jumping down the bridge and coming back up smiling will be encouraged not just to jump but also to come and visit Zambia,” Mr Lubinda said.
Mr Lubinda, who has bungee-jumped once before, said he was very confident that the rope would not snap.
He also pointed out that, as far as the records show, Ms Langworthy’s accident is the only one out of the estimated 150,000 jumps since the sport was introduced to Zambia 17 years ago.
The minister said his second jump was a thrilling experience.
“Standing at the edge of the bridge and looking down and seeing nothing but water and rocks – and knowing that the only thing that holds you is a bungee rope – is extremely fearful,” he said.
“But just the experience of going down, and knowing you have the courage to do it, is itself a thrill.”
Zambia is home to Victoria Falls, one of the natural wonders of the world, and is an increasingly popular safari destination.
QFM
Oh no, don’t do it Mr minister, you are approaching 50, BP izakwela on the rope.
U ARE ONE OF THE BEST MINISTER SIR.KIP IT UP.WE LIKE U
There are no guarantees in life Given Lubinda, it might snap again when Erin Langworthy tries it!
I have restored my trust in the Bungee ropes at Vic falls.
Everyone in government should jump off a bridge.
…..past and present.
I agree Heh heh!
it can only be done if you want RB to let go of his waste……
I think Liato shoud jump too. then next new year’s eve Kunda can Jump.
The big question should be, why did the rope snap? the answer will curtail similar accidents.
careful hon. minister kuti mwasha ubunga mu zambezi………………anyway it can interpret to more tourists!!!!!
Good move, minister!
NOT UKUSHA UBUNGA MU ZAMBEZI…………………ANYWAY MORE TOURISTS
Fackson Shamenda will have to do it now, since he will be the tourism minister.
Hmm i just like this minister.His swagger is surely made of gold.Next he will bungee jump with bashi Chilufya.Awe Lubinda ninshimbi.
Careful Given, you might just have to demonstrate each time somebody wants to Bungee-jump! That once iz enough for now.
That the way to do it Minister. The terror she experienced is like swimming. When you are learning to swim and you almost drown, if you don’t get back into the water right their and then, you may develop a life long phobia for swimming. So any swimming teacher will encourage you to go back and “take on” the water… and see that it will surely not kill you. You will have conquered your fear immediately. So the Aussie lady should come do it again. Thanks minister for asking her.
Fi Watchdog, you are just condemning everything. Why should we suspend Bungee Jumping. If an accident happens there should be learning points. Idioots.
I AM SCARED! BUT HEY, YOU ARE AN INSPIRATION. HATS OFF TO YOU!
If you can entice her back after her Collapsed Lungs are sorted then get ZNBC or Muvi to get good footage and the minister congratulating her for returning to Zambia.
Pass the video onto Ch 7,9 or 10 in Australia and you will get Zambia some important advertising for tourism.
ya uli nshimbi iwe, good point.
Lubinda ni nshimbiiiiiiiiiiiii!
Bo lubinda, if you learn diplomacy and try and get some evening classes in general education I think you would be a good caliber.
Also stay away from the petty PF style gutter politics and you will gain more support because you have the basis.
@Huh; you are useless…ngabapangilemo inkoko twalya….
This was wrong Mr Minister… First, Freeze all bungee jumping activities. Second appoint independent investigation team to establish what went wrong and why it when wrong. Third, share report with safety organisation within tourism ministry & possibly public alike. Four, institute corrective messures regulation. Five, apply changes & corrective measures… then you can jump…
Rubbish.. You can see ministers playing with ordinary citizens in you REAL live in Europe like me. Those who leave sports to youngesters shorten their life expectation :( Rethink your statement. closing the resort = deprieving income.. You saw road accidents happening inthere, closing of that affected road is hours not days or weeks. The only thing to do is to replace used ropes. His jumping is opening and driving fear that people responsible has created no fear and encourangement to take the matter as a normal accident.
Why was the Australian lady evacuated to South Africa? Is it because Zambian hospitals are nothing to write home about? How can you encourage such potentially dangerous sports when you do not have proper hospitals? Think about it seriously.
Too cool. As stated by another blogger the man has much swag :) I plan to take friends to make the jump coz that’s what they want. Thrill seekers like Devil’s pool and all that. Moi? Um er… Nope. Good PR move. Handled like the pros according to my boss :)
He jumped off the bridge , I watched it on aljazeer news today , tho I noticed that his bungee cord did not go as far below as it nomarly does .. That perticular jump looked very staged with a lot more redundancies than normal
Mpombo would have done it few years ago if the monkey did not intervein. Given Lubinda you have given a good example, just like a 100yrs old British man taking part in marathon race. Myself 48yrs can run around and play football, salibandy to keep blood circulation and maintain fitness :)