An International Events and Planning Expert has advised the Zambian government to drop the naming of the new Mulungushi International Conference Centre building after Dr Kenneth Kaunda.
Mulemwa Moongwa who is Managing Director at MICE Academy said there is need to preserve the rich history of the Mulungushi International Conference Centre by keeping the name on the new building.
The New Mulungushi International Conference now renamed Kenneth Kaunda International Conference Centre is a 24 square meters masterpiece with a 2500-seat conference hall, one 600-seat medium meeting room, one 400-seat multi-function hall and 60-seat group meeting rooms.
The New International conference center also has five VIP rooms, office area, exhibition area, press center, emergency medical center, service area, auxiliary facilities such as parking space.
But Ms. Moongwa said the Kenneth Kaunda’s name is too big for the new building but that government should be looking at setting up a Kenneth Kaunda Museum to keep his legacy.
“A few years ago we named a pool 90 Days Legacy. Because of our procrastination and delays, we had 90 days to pull the mammoth task and pull we did. Last week, that very pool hosted a regional tournament. I can only imagine the conversations that brew when explaining the Genesis of the name. Personally, our inefficiencies led us to work under pressure, by using that name we are forever reminded our faults as a people……with time it’s become like ‘ Zambian Time’ I cringe when I hear adults use it as an excuse for not keeping time.”
“You wonder why people name the children Misozi, Manyando, Mapenzi, a name should not be a constant reminder of the bad, how do you let go of the past and move on?”
She added, “KK’s legacy is one that needs the country to invest in his own Museum.”
“I had heard the naming of the building two months ago, I didn’t lose sleep because I honestly didn’t take it seriously but my horror to see it mounted.”
Ms. Moongwa said the Mulungushi International Conference Centre is an institution of 52 years, the truckload of peace deals orchestrated on that piece of ground by Dr Kaunda for Africa and deserves a lifetime commitment of preservation.
“The name is so sentimental that we have lost sight of where we place it. These are the moments that lead to solo protests with placards.”
“The speed of naming, folks forgot that the other two structures are nameless….We have the Old Wing (1972) that should be the Kenneth Kaunda Wing because of how much he did in that building. I would lobby all walls in the passages be lined with KK Memorabilia (others will argue he wasn’t alone) so we compromise with images from the era.”
She suggested, “The New Wing (2001) should be the FTJ Wing, he was at the helm of the Summit that brought us that facility, Millennium Village and a few other spots for the AU Summit.”
Ms. Moongwa said the New Facility should carry the Mulungushi International Conference Centre banner and be called the New Wing until the appropriate name is found.
“You see, beyond this AU Summit coming in July, that facility is a key component of Destination Lusaka and overall Destination Zambia.”
I agree with the sentiment. There are already too many things named after our politicians. Its not like they have been the only achievers of the nation. Mulungushi is an ideal brand. Lets preserve it.
Mulungushi an international name? Only in Lusaka. I think that Kenneth Kaunda is much more recognized internationally!
How many Zambians visit museums and how many have been to KK’s Chilenje house? KK is an international statesman. Some of us only realised how much the world honoured KK when we left our country. A taxi driver in Orlando, Florida, USA asked, ‘Where are you from?’ Zambia. ‘Ah! Kenneth Kaunda! How is he?’
You got that right writer. There’s already the biggest airport in the country named after our founding Father
Kenneth Kaunda (KK) is more international than Mulungushi!! We already have Mulungushi University, Mulungushi village .,.. We have KK international Airport but having a conference centre as an addition to the international nature of KK is not bad!!
Kenneth Kaunda is a brand name most people around the world know about and they associate it with the history of Zambia as a country that stands for justice, freedom and peace. I can’t remember what my history teacher said about Mulungushi- a bird, a stone, a river or whatever….
We already have KKIA and that’s enough. There’s no need to give the new wing a different name. The whole complex must remain as Mulungushi International Conference Center and that’s all. Most of our politicians have no brains, one even failed to name the Heroes Stadium, so obviously the one championing this case another brainless politician
We can name the wing after KK but not after the thief FTJ.
NO TO KK ABSOLUTELY NO
WE HAVE ENOUGH NAMED AFTER HIM
Build new things and give them those names. Leave the old buildings and infrastructure alone. Only if they are named Livingstone or Victoria. Those must fall.
Hats off to the new dawn government for naming this impressive structure after KK. With due respect to the international events and planning expert, I don’t agree with her sentiments. Mulungushi is virtually unknown outside the borders of this republic but KK is.
@Kalok Isnt it time Zambia and Zimbabwe got together and gave our Mighty Falls its original name? Mosi ua Tunya has more meaning than some oppressor queen from people who didnt recognise us as people. How can you discover a Falls when the natives took you there to see it? Didnt these natives discover it long before you?
On point @Steve McKing. I do agree totally. In fact these visits by Heads of States should include agreements on name change of these colonial names. Somewhere in their discussions on what to do with mining, the DRC and our Bally should see if there’s anything named Morton Stanley on our borders that can be renamed with its original, local term. Livingstone can exchange with some township anytime if the chosen township accepts the humiliation.
@1 Anapaya Gaddaffi : Very Correct Sir.!! Other than that, funny it my sound, my considered view would just be as well to rename Zambia to Kenneth Kaunda, if people still want to associate KK name with every built environment entity in the Country. I submit.
I agree with the writer, We can have the whole building named Mulungushi then name different wings based on our former presidents
Please don’t name anything after thief ftj…
Just rename Zambia to KK republic chapwa!
At 9 Tikki
Did he still your father’s bamba?
There is no way this conference room is only 24 square meters in size. LT please check your facts before printing.