President Rupiah Banda has urged the newly appointed Ambassadors and High Commissioners to provide leadership to Zambians living abroad.
Mr Banda said many Ambassadors and High Commissioners had failed to work because they allowed disharmony to prevail above their leadership and were recalled.
He said Zambians living abroad looked up to diplomats’ leadership and care just like those back home did to the head of State in times of trouble.
“We expect that you will be the leaders and fathers of those families out there. You should ensure the welfare of those Zambians ahead of your personal interests. Disharmony prevails where there is bad leadership,” he said.
Mr Banda said this at State House yesterday when he swore-in six new Ambassadors and High Commissioners, Inspector-General of Police Francis Kabonde, Deputy Minister of Energy and Water Development, Allan Mbewe and his counterpart at the Ministry of Science and Technology, Lubinda Imasiku.
The appointed diplomats include former Vice-President Nevers Mumba who goes to Canada, former Inspector-General of Police Ephraim Mateyo (Germany) and former Ministry of Finance and National Planning permanent secretary Mbikusita Wamundila Lewanika who is new Ambassador to Japan.
Others are former Minister for Presidential Affairs Cecil Homes (Ghana), former Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives Sipula Kabanje (Zimbabwe) and Ministry of Foreign Affairs chief of protocol Darius Bubala who is going to Tanzania as High Commissioner.
Mr Banda cautioned the envoys against going to countries they had been sent to for holidays, and neglecting their families and Zambians living there.
“I would like to give free advice to my colleagues going into the foreign service. This is truly from the bottom of my heart. You are going there first and foremost to represent Zambians through the President,” he said.
Mr Banda also warned against selfishness where diplomats’ wives wanted everything for themselves or where Ambassadors thought embassies were theirs and neglected staff and Zambians living in those countries.
He said although Government expected families to enjoy their spouses’ diplomatic service, they should not run parallel embassies or missions.
Mr Banda said when Government officials visited foreign missions, the first thing they did was to ask about the welfare of Zambians living there and what they said about their diplomats.
“I am not encouraging them (Zambians abroad) to be disobedient or insolent towards you because they, too, can be dealt with if they do not give respect to diplomats,” he said.
Mr Banda said discipline in the way diplomats spent public funds and kept property at embassies was cardinal.
He said money used by embassies belonged to Zambians who needed it for other important things, but it was sent for use abroad on the realisation that embassies were important.
“I ask you to please look after the property and make sure that you become the envy of embassies from other countries,” he said.
Mr Banda said as their appointing authority, he did not think he had made a mistake to send them to work abroad.
The President also cautioned diplomats against abandoning their families as a result of enjoyment when they got to their missions.
“I have been Ambassador before and I know this. Many Ambassadors and High Commissioners have been recalled because when they get out there, they abandon their families and enjoy themselves,” he said.
Mr Banda said there was a lot of excitement among some of the diplomats who felt they were cut off from Zambia upon arrival at embassies and thought nobody would know what they were doing.
President Banda said diplomats should bear in mind that wherever they went, ‘walls have ears’.
Mr Banda said the diplomats’ worst enemy was to always get in touch with people home for idle talk, including politics.
“If you fall prey to that, sooner than later, you will come back and you will be very frustrated. Whoever will be misusing facilities and playing politics on phone will find himself or herself in problems,” he said.
Mr Banda said diplomats went to represent all Zambians and should not accept divisive advice, adding that they would be judged by the amount of work they put in for the benefit of Zambians.
And the President said some of the diplomats who had been replaced had complained.
Mr Banda said he should not be blamed for recalling them because some of them had just been rejected by the countries they worked in, while others had worked their full terms.
we dont need them,they aint representing us,we better off by ourselves
Bauze , most of them do not seem to know why they are working at missions abroad .They treat Zambians who go to seek information like Beggars.
Bushe what do our embassies and high commison offices do kanshi. Njebeniko mwebantu. Because we have some of them in counries where they would have assisted for example in securing training in areas like medicine, engineering, pharmaceuticals but tufumapofye ngapakunya. Sometimes you wonder why it should take the entire president to go and look for investors when we have these missions abroad. May be it is because the people that go there are not professionals as can be seen by the appointment of the man of God.
Well done ba pastor. You have abandoned you flock for political life. This is a befiting reward for assisting RB during campaigns for last october elections. if only you can watch some of the Zambia Shall Be Saved videos from 1991/2 when you pretended to be upright!!!
RB really knows what he is talking about. He has been in that position before. It is always good to obtain advice from a president who knows it all. Most Ambassadors abroad become pompous and act like they do not know.
Just like in all Government sectors it is the people who should be represented.
Here in Germany I would like to welcome the former Inspector-General of Police Ephraim Mateyo as Ambassador. Enjoy your stay in Berlin and I will personally pay you a warm and tender visit.
Best Regards
Jamaco and Family
We want Zambians in the Diaspora to be allowed to vote in 2011. Ambassadors and High commissioners can facilitate this process, just as they have done with the infamous passport conversion exercise.
Don’t talk about a man of God even if he has fallen, because it is written ‘touch not my annointed’ and ‘the gift he has from God is without repentance’ this simply means that the annointing is still on him, so be careful gentlemen as you discuss you may just end up being blasphemous. Nothing personal just a word of caution.
I think Old Blighty has been short changed! When are we going to have a change of scene at the UK embassy?It is all full of Dr Maureen’s relatives.I mean, that woman with a big behind is so b*****.You can never expect any better service from them and like no 1 has said they treat you like beggars.I would rather have Dora running the show here than the muppets around.
Ba Nevers Mumba, from Pastor to Presidential aspirant, from Presidential aspirant to Vice President, from VP to fired VP,from fired VP to ambassador. WHAT NEXT?
Pankwa I totally agree with you.Some people ever learn or rather are not enlightened enough to perceive.I am always reminded of Saul whom King David could have killed but refused to do so.
Mr President R.B., you have really warned them! whoever has Amatwi, naumfwe! Coming to Investment as one of the major reasons you have sent them for,doesn’t the zambian leadership see potential in “our base”? Pa Middle East, Boss, epashala real Investors!!!!!! Think about us……
The High Commissioner (eg. London) knows our postal addresses (those of us registered with them) but never bothered to send us notices about the renewal and deadline of new passport applications. Let alone even canvass for us with the Government to us in the Diaspora having a different deadline, in view of exobitant fees charged in re-endorsing our permits in the new passports and the complexities involved. What are you there for anyway??
We are better off without these b*stards. They think they are doing you a favour when you go there. They can hang. When we are done with them changing our passports, they can go jump in their nearest lake, or the Thames River in this case.
They re big tym wasters starting from these in Sweden and guess tha world over.If they can’t even assit in simplist issues then they are as well useless and xpired.
#3 Kamunyama, these people do not know IR (international relations) and what it entails in a globalised world. All they know is to “slaughter” and steal public funds.Some of them cannot even engage with diplomats from other countries because of their lack of knowledge of issues.
It looks like if a christian goes for presidency, zambians don’t like it. They would rather be led by a pagan. SHAME on you guys. I know you’ll be quick to respond to this but I urge you to take time and reflect.
Govt started in the old testament in the bible, and God fearing persons were Kings and Queens. Over the years, we’ve allowed non God fearing persons to lead us and these have made government what it is now, corrupt, and politics are a dirty game, as a result. But shall we, as christians stay back and watch from a distance? I personally uphold Dr. Mumba. He’s one of the few radical christians who desire to stir the boat in the right direction. Wake up believers.
These pastors like nevers mumba are just seeking a living like all of us, The title of anointed should be reserved for only biblical patriachs because people that claim to be annointed on this planet are questionable in their motives. As redards to leadership thats impossible because most diplomats are picked on their back kissing capabilities rather than their diplomatic know how’s. the average person that works at a zambian embassy is the equivalent of a marketeer in Soweto Market. These people are at the embassies not to serve us the diaspora but to serve themselves in expense allowances while being diplomatic scarecrows.
#17 Christianity is mixed with paganism so when you call people pagans just look into the mirror. Most christian traditions are worldwidely known pagan traditions for example sunday worship is Mithraic, Easter is babylonian, christmas is Mithraic.
I conqure with faithfull one,laeve nevers mumba alone,most of you wud love to be in his podition,christians have been demonised and discouraged from being into the political world for reasons which I do not understand…In public offices we need christians,government offices we need christians and else where….yes not every christian is pefect becoz no one is pefect….Now tell me what do u want christians to be doing?
aba bafipwali ba fake…just renewing a passport witda high commission pa london has taken over a year…pa last nalituma ifi paper to zed…
#20. The Church and pastors especially are supposed to be nonpartisan servants of God. Most of these diplomats are serving the interests of the appointing authority. Little wonder they are immediately recalled if they speak their mind independently. Ask Mbita Chitala. While the Church should encompass everyone, partisan politics tend to divide God’s people. This brings disunity in the Church.
Most of them are just a waste of time. Once i called the embassy in Washington to inquire about the new passports and the lady on the other end of the line asked me what my status in America was? I was like , what is that got to do with my question, whether illegal or legal here, i am a zambia who has a constitutional right to obtain a passport.
So ba nevers is replacing newstead zimba!
Am I reading too much into this? All I can see is FORMER someone being appointed to new position. Are we only good at recycled leadership? The only professional that I see on ‘this list’ is Mbikusita Wamundila Lewanika, my former lecturer (sorry for using former here) at CBU who has been misplaced. He could have better served the nation as a PermSec either at Commerce or Finance.
Yangu believe me, Mbikusita is probably just happy to go on a break from zambia. As to recycled..leadership, thats all their is back home..kabili munataba and now you are sideline quarterbacks lol!
MMD is so scared of investors that they are even afraid to impose any taxes on them. Just this week, MMD MPs celebrated in Parliament to cancel any windfall taxes from minining campanies. Remember the Late Levy wanted this taxes so strongly. Now MMD is turning that down. Only PF has a strong opposition to this bill. No backborne party!! so scared of investors…ba MMD…i wait to see loss in 2011 to PF with Given Lubinda in State House.
Nevers Mumba has always been a Job seeker…what a great opportunist!!
I still dont understand why Zambians in Australia, NewZealand, China and many more, have their Zambian Embassy in Japan…… mind boggling…indeed….
These are the topics that make LT worthwhile for those of us away from home. Now we know that our government has not forgotten about us because our head of State has made it clear to his emissaries to attend to Zambians abroad.
I personally also welcome HE Mr. Mateyo and his family to Berlin and look forward to meeting them when they come. I also commend the outgoing Ambassador for the lot of work he rendered in uniting the Zambian community in the past years. Many thanks and may God bless you & your family General Chinkuli sir.
Talking of diplomats and diplomacy, I feel our president needs a lot of that himself. Going by the tone of this article if he was quoted word for word then I fear our international relations are going to suffer because of how undiplomatic he is himself whenver he addresses others. This talk he had with the new appointess could have carried just as much weight if it was held behind closed doors. It sounds as if he in scolding young children and not senior civil servants
Upon appointment all South African diplomats are sent for a 6 months training at their institute in Pretoria. Parliament ratifies their appointments and then they are posted. I think the same is true in Zambia
What a wonderful speach Mr.President.Really wonderful and encouraging for real.Sons of men irrespective of political parties to which they belong,for tis one at least the man spoke from his heart and with a heart.
Muna muhulu Lui tumezi ahulu mane.Twalumba kapati.Dzikomo kwambiri,xiexie nin de guanxin.twatotela.Hei one blogger says ,,,,,,i thought pa canada pali my name-sake D.Saviye
Welcome Mr Mateyo and Goodbye Gen Chikuli,we ´ll miss your hardwork and the unity you brought amongest the Zambian families. You truely showed what the One zambia, One Nation was all about. God bless.
PRESIDENT Rupiah Banda yesterday said there is selfishness in some foreign missions where ambassadors and their wives want everything to themselves.
OMG. so the president is aware how we live in the diaspora.
God help us.
But you have to as well appoint more women.
R’n’B sounds like a very desperate man trying to beg others to help him make an impact at last .Am afraid he will walk awy empty handed because he wadding through a salvage yard which has been tried ,failed and recyled over and over.If Nevers has received his reward ,Edith must just be petient and stop insulting the appointing authority because her just rewards may just be lurking in the near corner.
And that makes me very upset because I dont see anything worth converting into material benefit that the now ‘old deal govt’ can convicingly point and claim for our youth,except by passing them with the old regiment
That sounds great,but it wont happen coz when these guys go abroad they even forget aboout their fellow Zambian living in the same contries with them.Iam really disapointed with our zambian diplomats in russia.I was listening to a telecast via internet about Cardson Kabwe’s condition in rassia right now he is in hospital awaiting an operation which is likely to take place on monday according to Cadson’s friend.Cardison’s friend lamented that the pipo at the embassy are not being helpful in the way they should help.Brethern lets all pray for our Brother that all will go well on monday,so that our brother can continue with his studies.
May our Good Lord bless you All.
Matworld
F the embassies yes i said it F them…
It`s easy to get a job in Zambia. Ask Nevers!
“He said Zambians living abroad looked up to diplomats’ leadership and care just like those back home did to the head of State in times of trouble”.
Very funny statement.
Elyo lwanya ba Mumba as a diplomat!!!!!!!!!!!!! Zed twasebana akale wikalilafye ubukaya.
Couldn`t be bothered to read the whole story. But from the look of things these people are all former this, former that! Nice!
When we analise issue we mean serious business. When RB appointed Mbikusita Lewanika as political adviser,we said RB has got timing he knows how is going to reward all those who helped him in the campaigns.And that to reward the remaining ones was just the matter of people to cool down first.And this exactly what we said.So Mr Chibamba Kanyama when we are on LT,we are not here to waste time like you said. Those words of yours were not good.
Are we beating Egypt tomorrow?
Hey guys missing how are you.Jamaco,Nine Chale,3RqU, Matword reformed munthu and others.Ala guys tuleposhanya inga twa konkelesha LT twalaluba.First akanya Numba 1 na ma greetings akanye awe.
what a bunch of dishonorable gentlemen! job seeker! nevers from VP to Ambassador, isn’t that a demotion, what ever happened to your dreams of becoming a prez. you are just an hypocrite. anyway, looking at how hard your life has been of late, that will help you financially.
Your god is always giving you misleading advice, i wonder whats gonna be next!
Hey LT, since it’s a weekend and the blogging traffic is low, I figured now would be a good time to bring up a subject that’s been nagging me: some of these ads just don’t make sense. Is there a way of turning them off my screen for good? I know that I will never buy a car from Japan or order a truck from Durban, neither will I ever date a muslim woman online no matter how many times these ads keep flashing accross my screen! I really wish I could filter them out for good.
Okay, I have vent out my feelings and I will shut up now.
Regards, Nine Chale
Undertaker how are you my brother.Tomorrow it will be crucial, Egypt is a good side.But even you Undertaker even if tawakwata amaka you cant accept it the same person to be beating you everyday.Inga fya shupa you can even pick a stone and throw at him. I know Egypt is the reason why i stopped being a die hard supporter of the Chipolopolo boys after that 4-0 in 1998 and became a Chelsea supporter.But tomorrow Egypt will see.Its either a draw or we shall harmer them.
Chewe ulishani? Nine Chale atishani bane.
LT baice so what`s wrong with my post? May be I should be gone for good. You are just more than what the Brits complain about-politically correct! I am gone.
Greetings to you too Chewe! You’re quite right my brother, ukuposhanya is part of our tradition & it was LT who featured the story about keeping our traditions. Nambala wanu twalileka, nomba nama reply yonse nayo ba futa. I wonder what’s next?
Shani Mune 3RqU. Why do you want to go away? Not icipyu mani naiwe, just stay here. I don’t like blogging with strangers.
3RqU and Nine Chale am fine guys. Thats how we should leave guys,greeting each not ukukonkelesha LT. We are a family thanx.
Indeed Zambia shall be saved in Canada into the man who ….. Pr Mumba. This time behave.
Pr Mumba, please do not just look at your pocket. Be a servant leader.
Caution is called for in the way ladies and girls interact with the so called uncles and mulamus. I am advising your sister to report you husband to police for defilement immediately. Your husband is a devil who should be jailed period.
Mumba is not anointed , he is a desperate man looking for favours. He has failed to save Zambia and now is running away to Canada. May he will save Canada.
Please post fruitful and mature comments. This is a message for everyone who comments on this site.While your sense of humour and genuine grievances are appreciated,it is really sad n embarassing to read some comments. Let’s be very careful and learn rather than comment on things we don’t even understand.Early this week there was an article on a chief recommending crocodile fat for HIV and AIDS and it was embarrasing to hear some ignorant comments despising the chief but it is clear the chief is more abreast with current research than most us. Please on matters like that I would encourage people to at least go on the web and search rather than expose ignorance through empty criticism
On “He said Zambians living abroad looked up to diplomats’ leadership and care just like those back home did to the head of State in times of trouble. “We expect that you will be the leaders and fathers of those families out there. You should ensure the welfare of those Zambians ahead of your personal interests. Disharmony prevails where there is bad leadership,” he said.” I believe that this is an honest advice. The Russian based Zambian Ambassador who has failed Zambians all over the world on the case of Mr Cardson Kabwe seems to have survived from the termination of jobs that others have been axed with. I hope President RB Banda didn’t do this because he has failed Mr C. Kabwe…
The words of the president will prove to be nothing but empty. These are politicians who have been recycled. They don’t know when to say “no”, they can never organise an elementary school. Even though alot of them are well educated, they have zero ability of independent thinking. Like their predecessors before them, they will tread on the well beaten path of corruption, mismanagement, abuse of office and pilfering. Sheep mentality is what we embrace.
#17 I too am a Christian, but some christians leave much to be desired. I have voiced my mind on Dr. Mumba. Time and time again he has let us down. It says in the Bible too that Go is a respects no man. He loves us but we need to fear him. Yes we need God fearing people, but as things stand Nevers Mumba can not lead us. Plus all we need from our missions abroad is fiscal and logistical assistance, not ” ati” to be our fathers and mothers, ni cu delela uko. Let us be honest with ourselves Zambia is in abyss as concerned with leadership, and only we can change that.
Awe I need to be heard today. Something said above touched my heart, do you know that God warned those Israelis against having a king. That they would make them slaves and own their land. I always ask myself what it shall take to change Zambia. Only we stand in the way of our own development. thus we must ensure these Diplomats work for us all, not ichibeleshi. If our brothers and sisters feel the pressure back home from our government, we do not need that. Our wives give us pressure enough lol. God bless you all.
How does Botswana do what it does so well. They even sponsor Forestry students in the U.S as you know they hardly have vegetable land. We need a miacle or miracles in bunches. Remember in 90 and 91 when for the first time in Zambia we all breathed that fresh air of true freedom. For atleast two years in our history as a nation we grasped the light of progression. That only comes from the good Lord. let us hold all politicians accountable, from the pres. to his bootlicking Diplomats.
To understand the mind Of Zambian is not that ease…you see how we neglect our people who are poor, these who are privilege to work in the Govt to implement the plans that can eradicate poverty are not doing it. I think that we need God in Zambia, we have become neither hot nor cold….This time we need people who will sacrifice their life for the seek of Zambian liberation. Let us find investors and honest donors not …suckers.
Am very satisfied with the zambian embassy here in china they are doing a great job.When you visit the embassy you feel at home they even give you nshima.
On the appointment of Mr Nevers Mumba (Doctor, …), I am happy for him as an individual, but this is a second man who was once a Vice President for our great nation Zambia after Mr Lupando Mwape (Zambia Ambassador to China) to be appointed as an Ambassador which really puzzles me as to why such appointments are done.
Quite alright Mr N. Mumba (Doc., …) campaigned for President Rupiah Banda in the Bembaland/Northern Province but why must someone who was almost a President of our Country be demoted to the level of Ambassador even if it is looking for money after having a hard life since the end of being Vice President?
Let NCC put a law to broke such demoted-like appointments in the Cons.
No.22, Which law says christains, Pastors are supposed to be non patisan. What are you talking about. Should christainas leave the president office for non christians? Is that what you imply? We need God fearing people to take up cabinet offices as well. And this includes running for presidency. Lets begin to change our thinking. Its bad to only believe that non christains shd run the country. Thats dangerous thinking, tho the majority of zambians think like that. Its really sad to note that even the so called educated fail to see this truth. Christians wake please. Dont be ruled by the worldly sentiments. Who told you that you cannot be president as a believer?
The sad part is that even the so called Pastors tell their congregations that they are supposed to be non partisan. Shame on you!!!! Christian must take up the challenge of being leaders in the land. Where in the bible does God say, you shall not take part in govt leadership?
Zed embassy in london is full of crap. I have been trying to call for the last two weeks and no one picks up the phone. Now they have an answering machine which is messed up and still no one picks up the calls. WE SHALL FIGHT TO GET YOU DANDER HEADS OUT.
It is unfortunate if we have people who have had negative experiences at the Zambian High Comission in London, the people I have met have always treated me with respect and warmth.
The biq question though is what objectives and goals has GRZ set for these missions? Surely one would have thought devising means and incetives for getting Zambians abroad to invest in Zambia would be a top priority. Why are we afraid of our own people? How long are we going to thank the Chinese and others for the so called assistance?There is nothing such as a free lunch from these people, Zambians wake up and begin to love yourselves first. Dont expect respect when you dont respect your own and selves first.
RB! most countries are cutting down on overheads during this period of economic downturn but you are just doing the opposite, WHY???
Banda Said;“I am not encouraging them (Zambians abroad) to be disobedient or insolent towards you(High Commissioners/Ambassadors) because they, too, can be dealt with if they do not give respect to diplomats,”
How can he deal with us in the diaspora???
Congratulations Pastor. U deserve that post wether u are a fired vice president or a pastor. Get it man. U are a child of God.
hi pipo
Am looking for my husband. A Zambian by name of Benson Manjata. His telephone number is +819056379409. We have a nine year old son who keeps asking for him. Please help me find me him. Please! Please! Please!
Am looking for my husband. A Zambian by name of Benson Manjata. He all of a sudden stopped communicating to us. His telephone number is +819056379409. We have a nine year old son who keeps asking for him. Please help me find me him. Please! Please! Please!
Am looking for my husband who is in Nagoya Japan. A Zambian by name of Benson Manjata. He all of a sudden stopped communicating to us. His telephone number is +819056379409. We have a nine year old son who keeps asking for him. Please help me find me him. Please! Please! Please!
zambians are funny.how can you send someone as a diplomat to a country where he doesnt know the language at the same time expect good results??in russia most diplomatics do nothing they cant work because they dont know the language.so mr banda think twice before u sent those pipo.
To ALL ZAMBIANS leaving in Japan. Please Help! Am looking for my husband who is/was in Nagoya Japan. A Zambian by name of Benson Manjata. He all of a sudden stopped communicating to us. His telephone number was +819056379409. We have a (10 year old now) son who keeps asking for him. Please help me find me him for the sake of our son. Please! Please! Please!