Zambian diplomats urged not to tarnish Zambia’s image

Special Assistant to the President for Project Implementation and Monitoring, Lucky Mulusa has castigated Zambians who are in the habit of tarnishing the image of the country for their selfish benefit.

Mr. Mulusa says it is unfortunate that some Zambians, including educated ones, are on a crusade to speak ill of their own country for the sake of meeting their selfish desires without taking into account the damage they were causing to the country.

He says there should be a marked difference particularly when an educated person criticized unlike what is transpiring now where it has become fashionable for some elements to criticize in order to impress their “masters”.

Mr. Mulusa was speaking yesterday when he addressed diplomatic staff at the Zambian High Commission in Pretoria. He is in South Africa to learn how the country has modeled some of its ministries which pertain to national planning and evaluation. This is riding on President Edgar Lungu’s proposal to create and split some ministries.

Mr. Mulusa says the splitting and creation of ministries was a good thing which would enable a particular ministry to focus on specific issues and ensure proper implementation.

He gave an example of South Africa which he said had well-defined ministries such as the Ministry of Economic Development, Ministry of Monetary and Evaluation and the Commission for National Development Planning, which made it easy to focus on core functions.

Earlier, Zambia’s High Commissioner – Designate to South Africa, Emmanuel Mwamba said the Mission was focused on forging closer links with South African businesses realising that the bulk of investment in Zambia is from South Africa.

Mr Mwamba says the High Commission has, to this effect, formed the Zambia – South Africa Business Council which he said was meant to promote interaction among South African businesses operating in Zambia, Zambian businesses operating in South Africa and the Zambian government.

Mr. Mwamba hopes the launch of the Council which will take place soon would be graced by President Lungu in order to give it a good profile.

This contained in a statement issued to QFM News by Press Secretary at the Zambian High Commission in South Africa Nicky Shabolyo.