South Africa has paid glowing tribute to Zambia for the role she played in assisting liberation movements in Southern Africa.
South Africa’s Deputy Minister of Energy and Ambassador ,Thembisile Majola, described Zambia’s contribution to the liberation of Southern African countries as legendary.
Ambassador Majola said Zambia was home to many liberation movements waging wars of liberation against colonial domination in the Southern African region and that Zambia did this at a time when she just gained her independence and still vulnerable.
This is according to a statement availed to ZANIS in Lusaka today by Press Secretary at High Commission of Zambia In South Africa Nicky Shabolyo.
Ms Majola said this in Pretoria on Friday night at celebrations to mark Zambia’s Golden Jubilee of independence.
She said South Africa appreciates and holds in high esteem the excellent bonds of friendship and the warm fraternal relations which were forged in struggle with the Government and the people of Zambia.
Ms Majola bemoaned the current trade imbalance between Zambia and South Africa, which she said favored the latter and that the challenge was to ensure that this was addressed.
She noted that Trade for the period of January to August 2014 was at 18.6 billion South African rands worth of goods exported by South Africa to Zambia, while Zambia exported goods worth a 2.1 billion rand which she said has made Zambia one of South Africa’s top three trading partners in Africa.
Ambassador Majola pointed out that this owed to among others economic interaction and legislative environment and regulatory framework that the two Governments have put in place in their efforts to enhance development.
She noted that South African companies have continued to participate in Zambia’s main annual trade shows to promote trade and investment cooperation between the two countries.
The Deputy Minister observed that Zambia and South Africa have been proponents of regional integration with particular emphasis on the North-South Corridor which is envisaged to facilitate trade and physical interconnectivity with mining, agriculture and tourism as well as movement of people once implemented.
Meanwhile, Zambia has pledged to support all efforts required to contain Ebola in order to restore normality in the economic and social lives of people in countries affected by the disease in West Africa.
Speaking to South African Government officials, diplomats, business community and cooperating partners who attended the celebrations, Zambia’s High Commissioner to South Africa Muyeba Chikonde said Zambia viewed the disease as a common challenge to humanity and that there was need to scale-up efforts to contain it
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Mr. Chikonde said there was need to increase the African voice and effort as this disease knows no boundaries, race or tribe and could easily be in the neighborhoods.
He said the problem required a concerted global approach and that Africa should be seen to take the lead in the fight as the continent could not afford a reversal of the rapid economic growth it was currently experiencing.
And Mr. Chikonde said Zambia’s 50 years of independence celebrations this year coincided with South Africa’s attainment of 20 years of democratic rule, making it a significant year for both countries to reflect on how strong the bond between the two countries was.
He said the shared history reflected a people that had collectively lived together dating back well beyond liberation times.
Mr. Muyeba further noted that it was yet again not surprising that shortly after being inaugurated as Zambia’s fifth head of State; President Michael Sata’s first official trip outside Zambia was to South Africa to support the African National Congress’ centenary celebrations.
He said the two countries have a number of bilateral agreements covering trade and industrial development, agriculture and animal husbandry, geology, mining and mineral beneficiation, energy, health and defense.
Mr. Chikonde hoped that the Golden Jubilee will provide an opportunity for the people of Zambia to embrace patriotism and reflect on where they were coming from and where they wanted to go.
He said that the evidence is there for all to see that Zambia is going through an unprecedented record of transformation and urged Zambians to continue to be united in diversity, live in peace and actively participate in the development process taking place.
Mr. Chikonde also urged Zambians to actively participate in public consultation and consensus building in the constitution making process following Government’s release of the draft constitution on Thursday.
Is this how low we have sunk in our relations with South Africa, a Deputy Minister of Energy. Thanks to our blabber VP.
Exactly!! All the great work that Zambia did in the liberation of the southern African region being wiped out of history by the current CNP in Zed govt
Ony a pea brained twit would think like that, Firstly this is a high commission event. You expect their president to be there? When did Sata go to an embassy event?
Vilifier , dalu, dalu dalu, nzelu za ZWD… international protocol never allows any one higher that Ambassador to pay a courtesy visit, or call to an embassy. In fact Zambia was honoured by receiving an ambassador who is also deputy minister.
This is too late, they should have done this a long time ago. Anyway, it is better to be late than never do anything.
What did you expect after Guy Scott’s insults to South Africa?
While we were reflecting on the the jubilee,Botswana was holding democratic elections.These were peaceful and well organized. No violence or vote buying.
Indeed Botswana is a beacon of peace in Africa and after 50 years,what a shame that Zambia has a lot to learn from Botswana on how to organize elections.
THE IMBALANCE ON TRADE BETWEEN SOUTH AFRICA AND ZAMBIA IS NOT TO BE BLAMED ON SOUTH AFRICA BUT ZAMBIA. OF COURSE IF WE ARE GOING TO IMPORT EVEN REFURBISHED COACHES (NOT LOCOMOTIVE ENGINES) FROM SA HOW DO WE EXPECT THE BALANCE OF TRADE BETWEEN THE TWO COUNTRIES TO BE BALANCED. WE IMPORT EVEN TINNED TOMATOES WHICH IS OVERGROWN IN ZAMBIA AND THE ONLY THING IDC- INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION HAS TO DO IS ESTABLISH CANNING FACTORIES OF TOMATOES (AND OTHER CAN-ABLES) CAN BE CANNED AND EXPORTED TO SA AND OTHER COUNTRIES. OUR MINISTERS ARE ALL MOUTH BUT NO ACTIONS. HOW CAN THE RATIO BE 1:9 FOR SURE?
Congrats to HE Lt. Gen. Ian Khama for winning another term.
You just have to watch Botswana TV to see how down to earth this President is. He freely mingles with the common people and rural-based civil servants who he chats with freely. Can only be compared with Pres. Obama. Our Presidents in Zambia are so removed from ordinary people and civil servants unless they are senior party cadres. At least Mwanawasa tried as he used to write directly to junior civil servants, i.e Assistant Director level.
Of course Zambia’s Presidents mingle with everyone and anyone when the are seeking the vote. After that, the same people suddenly become a threat to the President they have just voted for and can be arrested or beaten if they try to get too close or say something against the President.
Ask any twanas they will tell that he is the most dictatorial they have seen rule their country… do not just congratulate anyhow basa