Chongwe’s Florence Shawa

Florence: seated Photo: Chongwe River Camp, Lower Zambezi National Park

Andrew Muswala talks with Florence M Shawa, the General Manager of Chongwe Safaris

1. What do you love most about your career?

Oh! Everything. People mostly, dealing with people and meeting different people, that’s what I love the most.

2. How would you describe yourself?

I am very charismatic, I love a challenge (going to work in the valley was a challenge, I’ve always been a city girl).

3. When you are not at Chongwe River Camp, what are you doing?

I am Lusaka reconnecting with my family, and also my husband and I are building our own house so we are there overseeing the project.

4. What has been the best part of your career?

I think advancement from just managing the camp (Chongwe River Camp) to General Manager of Chongwe Safaris which has four properties (Chongwe River Camp, Kasaka River Lodge, Tsika Island and Chongwe River House). 5. What was your first day at Chongwe Camp like?

Terrifying!! I went with Chris Liebenberg our Managing Director. We arrived by boat, it was in March and the camp was quiet. It took me a week and a half to start filtering in the noise of animals.

6. What makes your job exciting?

The fact that it’s different every day. Guest-wise, you are dealing with different people everytime. Your planning is always spontaneous (what activities the guests will enjoy and your execution).

7. What makes your job challenging?

Dealing with different people on a managerial level, trying to keep the harmony amongst staff, coming up with new ways to motivate and keep the enthusiasm.

8. What’s been your greatest achievement?

I am still achieving, I haven’t reached my full potential. Career-wise, being the general manager of Chongwe Safaris would be my greatest achievement. TL Z