Logan Svitzer was sitting in his U.S. history class here when his cell phone rang. He answered, but didn’t understand the person on the other end and hung up. He subsequently received a text message, which he ignored. Then the phone rang two more times.
Annoyed by the disruption, Svitzer’s teacher, Robbin Sweeney, grabbed the cell and called back the number. On the other end was a man saying he was Lazarous Kapambwe, the Zambian ambassador to the United Nations. Sweeney was certain it was a prank or a con.
But after 10 minutes on the phone, Sweeney became convinced Kapambwe was telling the truth. Kapambwe was urgently trying to get a hold of a fellow diplomat from Sierra Leone to discuss a proposed reform of the UN Security Council. But the phone number he had stored in his phone was one digit off.
“He was eloquent and apologetic, and he had a vast knowledge of Zambia,” Sweeney said. “I made a deal with him. I said, ‘Since you’ve taken up so much of my class time, why don’t you come speak to my school?’”
That was in the fall. Today, Kapambwe went to the school to make amends. He spoke to about 300 students, encouraging them to consider careers in diplomacy.
“I apologize for what happened, but nothing happens without a purpose,” he said. “Many of you are about to graduate. Today I hope I will recruit a few people into diplomatic service.”
Kapambwe spoke cheerfully about his home country of Zambia, which he described as a peaceful place that boasts 74 languages. Zambia, which is landlocked by Tanzania, Zimbabwe and other larger countries, is about the size of Texas and has about 13 million residents, Kapambwe said. Zambia is also home to the Victoria Falls, a renowned tourist spot.
Zambia has also had its share of internal strife.
“You remember how in your country you were fighting for your independence? Well, we had the same problems,” Kapambwe said. “We were under colonial rule until 1964, and for a poor, new country, diplomacy through the United Nations can mean life or death.”
As for the confusing phone call last year that eventually brought Kapambwe to West Orange, they can now laugh about it.
“I learned that anger and annoyance at a wrong phone call will never get you anywhere,” Sweeney said. “Maybe a wrong call can make you a new friend.”
[New Jersey On-Line]
Well spoken Kapambwe.
Remember to retire your imprest
Perfect diplomat. He handled the situation as expected of a diplomat. I wonder why they allow students to carry phones into class. Sorry I went to school when there were no cellphones so I dont know whether you students of nowadays are allowed to carry these things into classes. In my days Headmaster Chokani would have given me six of the best for carrying this thing.
Even if it was accidental, this should really be a part of what they do. There is still a lot of the world out there that thinks that we still live in trees. Good job sir.
Good Evening
I like this story because it sounds quite authentic, unlike those fables we sometimes read on the Lifestyle thread. It’s good to to learn that a wrong call can turn into an important connection with a little bit of patience. And that nothing happens without a purpose…
…or as the nerds say, “everything stays within the Matrix.” 😉
This is refreshing. Keep it up, mushimani. I live here, sp I know aht these fellows think of us – people living in trees, yes, sir.
Am impressed! Now thats an Ambassador worth having. :d/:d/:d/:)>-**==**==
A true diplomat! =d>
Wouldn’t put it better myself, #6! a diplomat worth having indeed!
Kudos are in order!
While it is bitter- sweet, and we all applaud the diplomat, I see an element of disdain in this teacher, as this resulted from anger. The teacher had the audacity to summon the diplomat as pay-back because he was from a third world country and wanted to show him where the real power lay. May be he even bragged about this to his students, who knows? I don` think this story even made some foray in the mainstream media here, chances are it found it`s way to the Zambian media through the grapevine. We do not see real advocacy here on exposing our tourism. For the few who know about The Vic. Falls, most of them think it is found only in Zimbabwe for some funny enough, in S. Africa. Our Diplomats need to do more, not wait for half chances.
This is the type of diplomats we need, not Chiluba’s Lions of Kitwe fimo fimo who had major problems contructing even a single coherent sentence in Bemba because the fool was just plain punch drunk. Or imagine our shame in Canada Nevers Spoiler Mumba, for him its “kulimonesha ta” everyday and instead of maning the Zambian mission there the chap is always attending pentacost meeting accross Canada and two days before he flies from Ottawa to Vancouver, he dispatches his driver to drive 2000 kilometres burning our fuel to be on hand to receive him when he arrives at the other end.
This is nothing! I can make a better speech on Rupiah Bwezani Banda at home!
“Under RB’s MMD Zambia is on her way to grandscale prosperity.RB has proved a very rational social democrat who is focused on unlocking our country from poverty.The trickle down effects are not instatenous but certainly gradual.No one denies that the nation has serious social economic challenges which MMD is deconstructing with all economic cylinders stroking at full throttle. Despair not at the lies of revisionists trolling around you!”
Job well done Lazi
Ba Kapambwe, well done. Thanks for making our country known.
Indeed this article, however it came to LT is for a purpose. I seriously need a job in Diplomatic service. Graduated from Citizenship College 3 yrs ago but cannot find a job kuno mushi
… since you are recruiting, please contact me on [email protected]
Imagine it was Ba Sata on phone!!!
Well done to that man. He has done us proud. He handled the whole situation admirably and even went as far as to accommodate the lecturer when he didn’t have to. A true gentleman indeed.
Those of us who read international media newspapers knew this story even before LT brought here. Uncle that was good job you did keep on the Zambian spirit burning
“he had a vast knowledge of Zambia”
Yes, with him being a Zambian ambassador and everything…
Still, a very sweet story, I wish there were more things like this, we need to close the breach between polititians/ambassadors with the general public and visiting high schools is an excellent way to do it.
#15 Lady Chiza’s, what do you have in mind? I have difficulties trying to enter the Cobra’s mind!
Well done Kapambwe.
Senior Citizen, just what is wrong with you? You don’t have to criticize everything, you are such a time waster. What exactly do you smoke?
Beautiful!very progressive and refreshing coming from a Zambian.One of our problems in Zambia is not recognising Role Models.Same diplomat will go in and out of Zambia without being asked to give a talk at any School.Lack of appreciation and politics first approach.
The big question is, WHY HAS MMD FAILED TO IMPLEMENT THE DECENTRALISATION POLICY??
Those close to MMD know that their fear is that Councils will perfome better, especially the City and Municipal Councils which are under the opposition, and that would be a threat to the survival of MMD. This is the perception of those in MMD, its sad to have such shallow minded leaders that can hold back the development of the nation for their own benefit at the expense of the masses.
Finally, are the MMD controlled Councils doing better than those under the opposition?
Can MMD tell us why Councils they control e.g. Kaoma in Western Province, Milenge in Luapula and Isoka have had misappropriation cases (not misapplication)??
THIS IS A STORY WITH A DIFFERENCE, A STORY WORTH MILLIONS. MR. AMBASSADOR U VE MORE THAN INSPIRED ME TO PURSUE AN AMBASSADORIAL LIFE, GOD BLESS U SIR.
Very funny so it on CNN, inside Africa this morning,