Zambia’s Ambassador to Brazil, Lieutenant General Dennis Alibuzwi (Rtd), has concluded a series of strategic diplomatic engagements with fellow Southern African Development Community (SADC) Ambassadors, aimed at strengthening regional solidarity and promoting economic cooperation.
The high level consultations, which began on September 8, 2025, underscored Zambia’s unwavering commitment to a unified African voice in Brazil and deepened collaboration among SADC member states represented in the country.
Zambia’s Ambassador to Brazil’s diplomatic tour began with a meeting with South Africa’s Ambassador to Brazil Vusi Mavimbela, who is also the Dean of the SADC Group of Ambassadors in Brazil.
Mr Mavimbela emphasised the importance of a coordinated SADC voice that can effectively advance the region’s collective agenda in Brasília.
He noted that SADC Ambassadors must remain proactive in articulating regional priorities.
“Presenting a unified front ensures that the interests of all member states are represented with clarity and strength.” he stated.
In another engagement, Lieutenant General Alibuzwi (Rtd) paid a courtesy call on Zimbabwean Ambassador to Brazil Meshack Kitchen, the immediate past SADC Chairperson in Brazil. The two envoys reflected on the enduring bonds formed during the liberation struggle and recommitted to working together to promote SADC’s goals.
“We must continue to honour the legacy of our forebears by building bridges of economic cooperation and regional integration,” Lieutenant General Alibuzwi (Rtd) said.
Lieutenant General Alibuzwi (Rtd) described the shared liberation history between Zambia and Namibia as an unbreakable bond that must now translate into shared prosperity.
The discussions centred on transitioning from political solidarity to economic empowerment, particularly in agriculture, energy, and infrastructure. The two ambassadors celebrated cultural linkages, particularly between the Lozi people of Western Zambia and the Zambezi Region of Namibia.
In his courtesy call on Ambassador of Mozambique, Jacinto Januário Maguni, the Zambian Ambassador to Brazil recalled Zambia’s historic support for Mozambique’s liberation struggle.
“Our relationship is rooted in shared sacrifice,” he said, reaffirming Zambia’s support for regional unity.” He said.
While meeting John Simbachawene, who is of Tanzanian Ambassador to Brazil, Lieutenant General Alibuzwi (Rtd) highlighted joint projects such as the TAZARA Railway and TAZAMA Pipeline as symbols of enduring partnership, with both Ambassadors pledging to work closely to enhance SADC cooperation in Brazil.
The Zambian Ambassador to Brazil also held discussions with Levi Njombole Nyondo who is the Malawi Ambassador to Brazil.
The two envoys emphasised their countries’ strong historical, cultural and political bonds, reiterating on the need for a shared vision for regional cooperation and sustainable development.
A key highlight was the meeting with Tumelo Benetia Chingapane of Botswana, where the transformative Kazungula Bridge was hailed as the physical embodiment of SADC regional integration.
The diplomats stressed the importance of leveraging the bridge to attract Brazilian investment into regional value chains.
The series of engagements concluded with a renewed commitment by all participating ambassadors to collaborate through the African Diplomatic Corps in Brazil, ensuring that the SADC agenda remains central to diplomatic efforts in the region.
This is according to a statement made available to ZANIS by the First Secretary for Press and Public Relations in Brazil, Lloyd Kapusa.
