President
President da Silva was honored with an order of the Eagle of Zambia at a ceremony held at State House witnessed by first Republican President Kenneth Kaunda, second Republican president Frederick Chiluba, Speaker of the National Assembly Amusaa Mwanamwambwa, his deputy Mutale Nalumango, chairperson of the whole committees of the House at Parliament Ernest Mwansa, Chief Justice Ernest Sakala and several Cabinet ministers and their deputies.
President Banda said President da Silva has struggled for the emancipation of the people in developing countries despite his little formal education.
President da Silva worked in the mine at the age of 19 and was injured while on duty resulting in him joining the union to fight for the better working conditions for miners.
Despite his humble background, President da Silva managed to transform Brazil’s economy and managed to pay the loan to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) two years before schedule.
Mr Banda was happy that Brazil has invested in road and rail construction under President Da Silva’s leadership saying Zambia has admired the strides made in that country.
On the international scene, Mr Banda said Mr da Silva has provided leadership at the World Trade Organisation (WTO) and has also been instrumental to defuse tension in Columbia, Venezuela and Ecuador.
Mr Banda said that the Brazilian leader was helping to promote cooperation between his country and African nations as could be evidenced from his visit to Zambia, Tanzania and South Africa among other countries.
It was because of Mr Da Silva’s commitment to uplifting the living standards of the poor that he was this year honored with the Global Statesman awarded by the World economic Forum.
The Brazilian leader joins South African President Jacob Zuma and former president Thabo Mbeki, former Cuban leader Fidel Castro and first Republican president Dr Kaunda in being honored with the order of the Eagle of Zambia award.
[ Times of Zambia ]
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While RB admires and constantly kept hugging his counterpart, very little remain to be admired. While his excellency Lula has worked hard for his country, RB is just there to prove to himself that he can transform Zambia if he wants! The problem is that RB is not interested in national development over his personal development thru plunder of donor funds! I hope Lula was briefed well in advance on who he is allowing to hug him coz RB is the Zambian Judas Escariot!
So,this honouring is for every jim & jack?.Im amazed at which the President tries to buy friendship,RB is the ‘Most playfull Old Man’ I have ever met.At his age,73(though reduced age),he should have been thinking of perfecting this country in all angles so that when he dies in the next 10yrs,his twin daughters can live in a Zambia that everybody is yeaning for.He is too selfish,he wants to enjoy all in these few years he will be breathing,I think RB belongs to hell.Why cant he just make things right before he dies?
What a great resource!