AS the mist rose high above the mighty Victoria Falls, drifting back down as a fine spray over tourists, eyes shifted away from the natural wonder for a moment to a family.
While the usual crowd of tourists dressed in light tourist wear, from oversized T-shirts to swimwear and leggings, they stood out.
Dressed in a striking mix of bright, handcrafted garments, they paused near the statue of David Livingstone, drawing curious eyes as they prepared to take pictures.
The group, visiting from Lusaka, had travelled to Livingstone to celebrate a their mother’s birthday.
At first they were hesitant to engage, but eventually the family opened up to Kalemba about the story behind their attire.
The designer Bridget Shoko said she picked up the skill of crochet crafting at a young age from the mother and has remained a part time venture among other business she does.
“I am a businesswoman. I do crochet, I do baking, I do decor,” she said.
Shoko said the bold fashion choice at the Victoria Falls was deliberate – to stand out.
“I am always trying to stand out by any means. I just want to be distinct in everything that I do,” she said.
Previously, she said the crochet became outdated but now it has resurrected with many people showcasing different designs on social media.
She mentioned that she was able to craft any design upon request.
The family’s visit, however, was centred on celebration of their mother Catherine Mulilo’s 58th birthday.
“This was mom’s birthday and we decided to come to Livingstone during the 4D (Easter Holiday).
She explained that the trip had been postponed earlier in the year.
Zambia’s tourism hub continues to attract both international and domestic visitors, with experiences ranging from adventure activities to intimate family celebrations such as this one.
For the Lusaka-based family from Matero, the trip was as much about togetherness as it was about expression.
Over the long weekend visitors’ numbers to Victoria Falls during this year’s Easter Holiday rose to 10,690 people from 9,018 last year, with the National Heritage Conservation Commission noting a sharp increase in domestic tourism.
According to National Heritage Conservation Commission north west acting regional director Linda Mwanza, Zambian adult visitors grew from 6,054 last year to 8,138 this year during the four days holiday.
However, figures for Zambian child visitors declined by 21.4 percent over the same period.
Kalemba April 11, 2026
