The son of Gail Mattson, the 79-year-old American tourist tragically killed in an elephant attack during a safari in Zambia last month has spoken out, expressing understanding and forgiveness towards both the elephant and the tour guide involved in the incident.

Gail Mattson, a grandmother from Minnesota, lost her life while on a game drive with a friend and four other tourists in the Kafue National Park in early April. Despite the tragic outcome, her son, Blake Vetter, has emphasized that his mother was aware of the risks associated with such adventures and held no blame towards the elephant or the driver for the incident.

“Mom was an adventurer at heart, and she understood the inherent risks of exploring the wild. She wouldn’t want any blame placed on the elephant or the driver,” Vetter stated.

Footage from the incident captured the terrifying moment when the elephant charged at the safari vehicle, ultimately flipping it over. Vetter commended the professionalism of the driver, noting that his actions likely prevented further injuries or loss of life.

“The driver stopped because he had to. He did his best to protect the passengers. We believe he saved lives by stopping,” Vetter remarked.

Describing his mother as someone who lived life to the fullest, Vetter shared heartbreaking images from the day of the attack, showing Mattson holding a flower inside the safari vehicle. She had embarked on the safari as her “last big adventure,” according to friends.

The safari company Wilderness, which operates tours in several African countries including Zambia, issued a statement expressing condolences to Mattson’s family and offering support to those affected by the incident. The company highlighted the extensive experience and training of its tour guides.

Meanwhile, investigations into the incident are ongoing, with local authorities in Zambia probing the circumstances surrounding the attack. The exact reason for the elephant’s aggression remains unclear.

This tragic event has brought attention to the challenges faced by both tourists and wildlife in safari environments. It also coincides with broader discussions about elephant populations in Africa, particularly in countries like Botswana, where concerns over increasing numbers have sparked debate over conservation measures.

97 youths are set to undergo training in driving at a cost of K1 millions of Constituency Development Fund (CDF) 2024 funding in Mkushi district.

75 of the trainees’ prospects are from Muchinga while 22 are from Serenje Central constituencies will be trained in life skills at Handsworth Institute of Health Science and Technology in Lusaka and Ndola.

64 trainees have already departed to the Lusaka campus where they will be trained in driving motor vehicles of different classes.

Speaking before seeing off the youth, Serenje town council mayor Tavious Mulumba said the rest of the students will depart for training once the local authority has verified availability of earth moving equipment at the Ndola campus.

‘’ The remaining 33 trainees will go next week after we verify that the institution has equipment,’’ Mr. Mulumba said.

Mr. Mulumba commended Government for increasing the CDF allocation to K30.6 million this year.

He on this score, called on the Technical Education, Vocation and Entrepreneurship Training Authority (TEVETA) to continue monitoring skills training centers to ensure standards are maintained.

Meanwhile, the youths thanked the government for empowering youth through CDF.One of the youths Maudrin Kabibwa said her future which has been hanging in the balance is now certain.

‘My parents are not able to sponsor me to receive tertiary education. Thanks to president HH and his government for being considerate to the youth,’’ Kabibwa said.

Another beneficiary Peter Mwaba called on President Hakainde Hichilema to continue increasing the CDF to touch more lives.

‘’ Increased CDF under UPND is a reality. Let other youth also apply for skills training so that they can also benefit’,’’ Mwaba urged.
And Handsworth institute marketing officer Gerald Simwanza said his institute will deliver according to the expectation of both the trainees and government.

Dr. Chitalu Chilufya, former Health Minister in the Patriotic Front Government, has underscored the health implications embedded within the theme of World Press Freedom Day 2024, “A Press for the Planet: Journalism in the face of environmental crisis.”

In a statement , Dr. Chilufya highlighted the interconnectedness between environmental issues and public health. He emphasized that phenomena such as air pollution, noise pollution, natural disasters, and man-made environmental degradation have profound effects on human well-being, necessitating urgent attention from both the media and policymakers.

“As journalists, it is imperative to recognize the link between environmental degradation and public health,” Dr. Chilufya stated. “Issues such as air pollution and unmanaged waste not only degrade our environment but also directly impact the health of our communities.”

Drawing from his medical background, Dr. Chilufya urged Zambian journalists to witness firsthand the effects of the environmental crisis on individuals by visiting medical facilities. He also encouraged them to conduct tours of the Zambian physical environment to observe the challenges posed by inadequate waste management and infrastructure development.

“Journalists play a crucial role in raising awareness about environmental health issues and holding authorities accountable for addressing them,” Dr. Chilufya remarked. “By incorporating the concept of ‘Health-in-all-policies,’ advocated by the World Health Organization, into their reporting, journalists can contribute to fostering sustainable solutions to the environmental crisis.”

World Press Freedom Day, celebrated annually on May 3rd, serves as a reminder of the fundamental principles of press freedom and the importance of a free and independent media in promoting transparency and accountability.

At approximately 16:00 hours yesterday, the serene stretch of the Great North Road was disrupted by a devastating collision, resulting in significant loss of life and property. The Serenje Traffic Department swiftly responded to the scene at Pilyeshi area, situated 25 kilometers west of Serenje town.

The collision involved two heavy-duty vehicles, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake. The primary vehicles involved were identified as a tanker truck owned by Harvest Oil Company and a Howo truck and trailer operated by Dangote. The incident unfolded as follows:

The Harvest Oil Company Tanker Truck, laden with an unspecified type of fuel, was headed from east to west along the Great North Road. For reasons yet to be determined, the tanker lost control, veered off its course, and overturned, subsequently erupting into flames. Tragically, the driver, whose identity remains unknown due to the intensity of the fire, perished in the inferno.
The Dangote Howo Truck and Trailer traveling in the opposite direction from west to east, bearing registration number BCE 3607, was laden with cement bags destined for an undisclosed location. Behind the wheel was Mr. William Ngwira, aged 42, hailing from Chifubu Township, Ndola. The collision inflicted severe burns upon Mr. Ngwira, who is currently undergoing medical treatment at Serenje District Hospital. Among the six unidentified passengers on board, five tragically lost their lives in the ensuing blaze. The sole survivor, a male passenger, remains unconscious and critically injured.

The sequence of events leading to the collision suggests that the tanker truck lost control, potentially due to excessive speed, leading to its overturning and blocking the roadway. The subsequent collision with the Dangote truck ignited a fierce blaze, engulfing both vehicles and resulting in the loss of lives and extensive property damage.

In response to this tragic incident, the Zambia Police Service issued a stern reminder to all motorists to strictly adhere to speed limits and exercise caution on the roads to avert such catastrophic accidents in the future. The authorities extend their heartfelt condolences to the families and loved ones affected by this grievous event.

The Police in Serenje have launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the collision, aiming to provide closure to the affected families and implement measures to prevent similar tragedies from occurring in the future.