Newly accredited Zambian High Commissioner to Namibia Stella Libongani has reiterated that the diplomatic relations between her country and Namibia are historical, dating back to the pre-independence period when Zambia hosted thousands of Swapo cadres and other Namibian exiles.
Speaking at a reception held in her honour last Friday evening by the Zambian High Commission at a conference centre in Windhoek, Mrs. Libongani the former Zambian police chief, said: “The scope of our relations has expanded over the years to the benefit of our two countries.”
Mrs. Libongani, who handed over her letters of credentials to President Hage Geingob last week, underscored what she said was “the good gesture by Namibia” in offering Zambia – a landlocked country – access to the sea, through the Zambian Dry Port Facility in Walvis Bay.
“There are high expectations from my government and people of Zambia that the excellent relations that we enjoy are cemented. To this effect, it is Zambia’s resolve to address outstanding matters so as to preserve the sound relations,” said the Zambian high commissioner.
In the same vein, she felt it was imperative the Zambian community at large remains patriotic to their motherland and continue to raise high the Zambian flag through exemplary conduct.
Zambia, she noted, remains committed to enhancing cooperation with all members of the international community at bilateral and multilateral levels and “in this regard the Zambian mission in Namibia is committed to fostering, among other things, social and economic development on the African continent and beyond for the benefit of all.”
In terms of development, Mrs. Libongani said the Zambian government has continued to construct new roads across Africa’s second largest copper producing country, as well as provide resources in priority sectors, such as health and tertiary education.
Acting deputy permanent secretary in the Ministry of International Relations and Cooperation Morven Luswenyo echoed her sentiments, saying: “Our two countries share friendly and neighbourly relations dating back to Namibia’s pre-independence period.”
He further noted that since November 26, 1990 when Namibia established diplomatic relations with Zambia “the bilateral cooperation between our two countries has increased and expanded. To mention a few areas of success: there are currently about 213 Namibian students studying at different universities in Zambia”.
Namibia and Zambia, Mrr. Luswenyo said, also signed a power purchase agreement on September 16, 2009 through which Zambia provides power to Namibia.
Another area of bilateral cooperation is in aviation, as Air Namibia operates three weekly flights to Zambia.
The Zambian Dry Port Facility at Walvis Bay is operational.
Namibia also exports a significant amount of fish to Zambia.
The Walvis Bay-Ndola-Lubumbashi Development Corridor, which aims to facilitate cross-border trade and transit-transport cooperation among Namibia, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Zambia remains an important project to Namibia, Luswenyo said.
The event was attended by other diplomats, notable among them Ambassador of the Democratic Republic of Congo and Dean of the Diplomatic Corps Anastas Kasongo Wa-Kimba.
Libongani must be a youngster! Namibia has old parts of Barotseland, including Linyanti the old capital of Barotseland. The Caprivi Strip is full of Lozis as Caprivi was only given to the Germans to allow them navigation on the Zambezi River under the mistaken belief that they could navigate the river back to the Indian Ocean. That’s a fact
Now Libongani should sort the Namibian trucks detained by the Zambian authorities despite having genuine papers 4 mukula. UKULYAMO KWACHILA MO
Really laughable…look at Ba Stellar I thought she was in North America, cop posted to sit behind a table in the embassy…you see Kanganja you will be next after they use you!!
Sad for Libongani!
At her educational (UNZA Graduate) and previous employment level PIG i.e. Police IG) she can only be Ambassador to Namibia while mere Diploma holders can be Ambassadors to bigger and economically strategic countries like Britain, USA, France, Russia, Italy & closer to home Nigeria, Egypt & South Africa.
Reason she is SouthWestern Rhodesian who ‘only qualifies’ to be Ambassador to simple countries like Malawi, Zimbabwe, Namibia & War torn Congo! Not even East african power house like Kenya & Tanzania.
If this woman was professional in her duties at ZP the UN would have head hunted her and given a Position as an International adviser BUT this is the end result of bootlicking Politicians as they come and go.
Are salaries different between those in USA or Malawi? Do diplomats did the same duties?
I was about to ask the same question as @Amagenge
Just focus on yourselves imwe. Vokamba kamba mbwe, idle chaps
When will others get these jobs? Surely only known ones.This country awe sure