PRETORIA – 27th NOVEMBER, 2015 – ZAMBIA’S High Commissioner to South Africa His Excellency Mr. Emmanuel Mwamba has presented letters of credence to South Africa’s President, His Excellency Mr. Jacob Zuma with a pledge to work with that country’s government to promote and enhance relations between the two countries.
His Excellency Mr. Mwamba was among 14 other ambassadors and high commissioners -designate at a credentials ceremony at the Sefako Makgatho Presidential Guesthouse in Pretoria yesterday.
Mr. Mwamba, accompanied by his wife, Mrs. Monde Mwamba, was the first to make his presentation after which he informed President Zuma that he had been advised by President Edgar Lungu to prioritise the strengthening of bilateral relations between the two republics.
The other diplomats were from Mali, Cyprus, Switzerland, Canada, Mauritius, Panama, Mozambique, the European Union, Hellenic Republic, Czech Republic, Malaysia, Palestine, Somalia and Sri Lanka.
“On this auspicious day, His Excellency and your brother, President Edgar Chagwa Lungu, President of the Republic of Zambia, sends his cordial and fraternal greetings to Your Excellency. Zambia and South Africa are bound by long social, economic, political and historical ties.”
He traced the long historical relations between the two countries pointing out that there was a tribal migration with some Ngonis finally settling in Zambia following the wars of King Shaka in South Africa between 1817 and 1829.
Mr. Mwamba pointed out that although Zambia and South Africa did not share a border, the relations between the two countries were solid and their people were brothers and sisters, held together by an unbreakable bond.
“Your Excellency, the relations are strengthened even more by trade and investments and our aim is to promote various initiatives to help grow our economies and lift our people from poverty,” he said.
The High Commissioner further noted that Zambia played a key role in the liberation struggle of South Africa which was driven by the principle that if any part of Africa was not free, Zambia would also not be free.
“Our First President, Dr. Kenneth Kaunda made it abundantly clear that the social, economic and political investments we were making as a country were sacrifices for humanity and we never concerned ourselves with eventual rewards or benefits. This commitment underpinned our dedicated involvement in the struggle,” Mr. Mwamba said.
And in his address to the diplomats, President Zuma said it was important for African countries to strengthen partnerships and then move onto forging linkages with other continents.
Mr. Zuma also called for concerted efforts to end conflict in the Middle East which he said had yearned for peace for a long time.
He said the refuge crisis in Europe was a big challenge and that there was need for stakeholders to look at the root cause as they tried to resolve the problem.
The South African President also pointed out that his country was committed to implementing Sustainable Development Goals as well as finding ways of mitigating effects of climate change.
Issued by:
Nicky Shabolyo
PRESS SECRETARY
HIGH COMMISSION OF ZAMBIA IN SOUTH AFRICA
Mobile: 00 27 810027548 Email: press@zambiapretoria.net; nshabolyo@gmail.com