Luanshya
Luanshya | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Country |  Zambia |
| Admin. division | Copperbelt Province |
| Population (2008) | |
• Total | 117,579 |
Luanshya is a town in Zambia, in the Copperbelt Province near Ndola. It has a population of 117,579 (2008 census).
Luanshya was founded in the early part of the 20th century after a prospector/explorer, William Collier, shot and killed a Roan Antelope on the banks of the Luanshya River, discovering a copper deposit in the process. The antelope fell to the ground, its head resting on a rock where an exposed seam of copper ore was visible. The mining company eventually formed to exploit Collier's find was named "Roan Antelope Copper Mines Ltd".
For most of the 20th century, copper was mined in great quantities at Luanshya but towards the end of the century, mining there became increasingly uneconomic, causing a severe recession in the town. There is still a fair amount of copper underground. Whether the town sees a revival in its fortunes will depend on how efficiently the copper is extracted and sold.
The city is the birthplace of Rhodesian folk singer, John Edmond and writer Theresa Lungu. It is also the birthplace of A. C. Grayling, author and atheist, on 3rd April, 1949.
The Roan Antelope Club in Luanshya formerly held the record for highest goal posts in the world, which were recognised by the Guinness Book of Records. They were 110 ft, 6 inches high.[1]
Education
Luanshya is the home base of a Technical and Vocational Teacher's College (TVTC) as well as the Vasco da Gama school. Vasco DaGama has the distinction of being the only school for people with disabilities on the copperbelt. It is run by nuns and named after the famous Portuguese explorer.
See also
References
- ^ Cotton, Fran (Ed.) (1984) The Book of Rugby Disasters & Bizarre Records. Compiled by Chris Rhys. London. Century Publishing. ISBN 0-7126-0911-3, p107