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KK off to China as President Sata’s special envoy

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Dr Kenneth Kaunda with his wife Betty
Dr Kenneth Kaunda with his wife Betty

FORMER President Kenneth Kaunda yesterday left for China as President Sata’s special envoy to that country. Dr Kaunda, who left aboard an Ethiopian Airlines flight around 15:00 hours, was accompanied by his wife Betty, his personal physician, and senior government officials.

He was seen off at Kenneth Kaunda International Airport by Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Effron Lungu. The former President refused to disclose contents of the message he is taking to Chinese President Hu Jintao, saying he cannot do so before delivering it.

He, however, said he is happy that he is going to China after being on a similar mission to Angola a few weeks ago. Dr Kaunda is expected to return home on December 2, 2011.
Last month, President Sata said he will welcome Chinese investors and promised to strengthen ties with China. This was when he hosted a luncheon for investors from Beijing.

During the campaigning trail for the September 20 tripartite elections, Mr Sata was one of the harsh critics of Chinese investors, especially in the mining sector where local employees have been complaining of low wages, poor conditions of service, and ill-treatment by their Chinese employers.

Meanwhile, NANCY SIAME and KANGWA MULENGA report that China’s non-Ferrous Metal Mining Company (CNMC) Luanshya Copper Mine (LCM) says it will employ over 1, 000 locals before the end of this year.

LCM chief executive officer (CEO) Luo Xing’eng said the new employees will increase the work force to 3, 600 from the current 2,600 employees.

“Mulyashi mine is starting operations soon and when we open we need to increase our work force and we are hopeful that more locals will be employed once we commence full operations at Mulyashi,” Mr Luo said.

He also said the mine will continue giving priority to locals when employing. Mr Luo said plans are under way to reduce the number of expatriate workers at the mine from the current 70 to a much less number.

He was speaking in Luanshya yesterday when Copperbelt Minister John Kufuna paid a courtesy call on him at the mine. Mr Luo also said the mine will soon start revising the basic pay for miners to improve the salaries.

“Plans are under way to revise the collective package and negotiations are going on and we shall soon conclude,” he said. Mr Luo also said a renowned Chinese company has been engaged to do a design for Mulyashi mine to speed up the completion of the mine.

He said once the design has been completed, more local companies will be given contracts to do the finishing touches for the construction of the new mine. Earlier, Mr Kufuna urged the mine management to give contracts to local companies as opposed to Chinese companies.

Mr Kufuna said he has received many complaints that Zambian companies are not being given contracts at the mine. “I came here to find out whether the reports I’m receiving about giving of contracts to Chinese companies alone without considering local companies are true,” he said.

Mr Kufuna appealed to LCM to train the locals how to do jobs which are being done by expatriate workers at the mine. He said there is also need for the mining firm to improve the livelihood of people in the area they operate from through corporate social responsibilities.

[Zambia Daily Mail]

editor
editorhttp://www.lusakatimes.com

86 COMMENTS

    • Man, you are an *****. Look at the rest of the world using their founding fathers to help them enhance bilateral and developmental relations. You just cant give the PF government a chance, can you? Your hatred for Sata has even clouded your judgement. Be real punk.

  4. @#3, you see how America’s former presidents are used as envoys,they unite and carry out their duties dilligently irrespective of their parties affliations, what makes you think Dr Kaunda has gone on holiday? Positive contributions are needed for us to build our country.

  7. why is he sending poor KK he is tired let him rest….and also why does Mrs Kaunda also have to go being in a wheelchair won’t it be too much stress for her this long journey

  8. We need new water purification plants for all our cities and towns, not forgetting our sewerage systems too.

    We need to rebuild our provincial centres so that we can start managing our nation in a devolved fashion with provincial governments operating from these centres to enhance and realize service delivery in real terms.
    Zikomo

  10. We Zambians in China and particulary Beijing cordially welcome His Excellence First Rep President of Zambia, Dr Kaunda and his Wife Mama Betty Kaunda. I find this assignment appropriately given to the man who established diplamtic relations with the PR China and the best man to mend the crack in relationship that sent cold shivers in the spines of many Zambians and Chinese both home and here in China. You are welcome Sir, and eagerly awaiting your arrival

    • We rally with you on this commendation Binagel and thanks to President Micheal Sata for using the wisdom of the founding father Dr Kenneth David Kaunda. And to Mama Betty Kaunda, as Zambians that appreciate what you went through during the struggle for independence, we will forever be grateful. God bless you both and happy trip.

  13. Good move. we need our own airline. KK tell Sata o release Zambezi Airllines. We need Zambia Airways which kafupi killed to come back.

  16. Another mis-Use of public monies. I didnt think you need an educated person to lead rule this country, I now realise I was so wrong

    With my MBA , CIMA, ACCA and soon PHD, I should not lose hope, should I?

    Thanks

    • Which school is going to mark your PhD thesis? I believe good grammar and proper spellings are pre-requisites for a good thesis. Today you are Scottish and tomorrow you are Zambian. Choose where you belong. You are what I would describe as full of yourself. We know how most people in the UK view Glasgow which you are always boasting about. 

  17. I guess this is good for our country to appreciate KK contribution even now… I just feel KK needs a special focus..like brokering peace, reconciliation ….stuff KK is good at…for economical support, Sata may use Mutati or Aka..these guys (among others) are good sales persons..

  19. Bravo Zambia we need to see a lot of this in future. Let RB realise that he will surely be usiful in the future, even now if he does not spoil it.

  20. #16, Mushota ulikipumbu mwaiche! for how long are you going to talk about your qualifications? despite your high education, you ve never even commented intelligently on this forum! atase! whats the use of having all those papers if you cant even think????

    • Do tell aka kakatumpa. She thinks having qualifications is a roadmap to being bright and knowledgable. That’s the problem we have with these kids that never shared iftumbuwa with those that did not have. They want everything for themselves. Simply put and to concur with you, she’s an *****. Chi pumbu bashafundile.

  21. As much as I like Dr Kaunda, it makes me sad that after 47 years of independence  we still have to rely on people that should be resting to do jobs such as these. I am becoming more and more convinced that MCS cannot disassociate himself from U.N.I.P and M.M.D, hence the questionable appointments and decisions. Why can’t he go himself? Why has he been locked up in State House since he took over? Something fishy is going on. 

  22. RB already spoiled it. Such a chance will never come to him. KK has earned his respect and such a distinguished standing. viva shi panji, viva Michael Chilufya Sata

  23. This is unbefitting of a man of his stature. Granted that he is in the process securing jobs for his children by endearing himself with Sata, such assignments ought to be given to lesser personalities. KK should now be sitting quietly in absolute retirement and not act as an agent for Sata. Much as this is fulfilling for Sata’s ego, it is embarassing for the majority of well-meaning Zambians.

  25. Shameless old man! How can he allow himself to be turned into the serpent’s errand boy. The man is unbelievable. Not long ago he was saying Sata was not presidential material. Now he has been reduced into a mop boy cleaning up Sata’s puke. You’re a respectable man KK! No wonder Mandela remains Africa’s icon of peace and political maturity.

  26. What a picture and what a mission! …Immaculate and refreshing indeed. To see you together, healthy,happy and being usefull to your country is SIMPLY PRICELESS. May the good Lord continually bless you our beloved KK and Betty. Way to go Mr. President Sata–nicali boobu nicali cibotu. Priceless!

  27. Respected ex-leaders can do a lot of good for any country’s diplomatic standing. Theres nothing wrong with that as long as the old man is happy to do it, why not?

  28. So KK does not mind associating with a man who had a chance in the death of his son? Politicians are something else. Mrs Kaunda has sold out her own bululu (rb) for a vague promise of Panji taking over after Sata. Meanwhile, Sata goes unpunished for his hand in the deaths of Ngenda, Nkumbula, Tembo, Penza, Kaunda and all those poor people he butchered in Chawama!

  29. That is the result of having an incoherent Foreign Affairs Minister who cannot string together a single sentence in English without reverting into chiBemba.  Now KK is the neo-Foreign Affairs Minister or Special Envoy (or whatever!).  Kambwili who insulted people from North Western Province, just like his master Sata, is not worth representing Zambia anywhere in the World apart from some Bemba political rallies.  KK is 87 years old and still coherent, albeit with a fading memory.  What about Kambwili or Sata?

  31. Our father KK and our mother Mama Betty Kaunda are now so old with multiple medical complications, I wonder if appointing KK as Special envoy to China is a good idea. Just thinking about the stresses of flight, Jet lag and so on; I could be wrong but I think its a bit too much. I appreciate what H.E is trying to do in recognizing KK but this may not be good for our fathers health!  

  33. the only sad thing about the angolan mission was lack of feedback on the apology. maybe I missed it. could someone let me know what it was. On the angolan mission i think Sata told us what he was sending Kaunda for. I guess this is a more sensitive mission.

  34. #20 I AGREE WITH YOU.MUSHOTA IS DRUNK WITH HER PAPERS,BUT WE DONT
    KNOW HOW MUCH PRACTICAL EXPERIENCE SHE HAS SAY IN THE FIELD OF
    FINANCIAL OR MANAGEMENT ACCOUNTING,I GUESS ZERO AS SHE HAS SPENT
    MOST OF HER TIME ACCUMULATING PAPERS,AS AN EMPLOYER SHE WOULDN’T BE
    MY CHOICE.

  35. While he is still at it, maybe he should also be sent to Malawi to mend fences, after all, KK and Malawi have a historical background.

  36. And if Jesus had to personally come from heaven to die for our sins, why can’t the President personally go to China and mend the fences since he is the one who was against the Chinese when he was in opposition? While the gesture is ok to send KK, I feel the President needed to personally talk to the Chinese president over what he said in the past. And at his age, I think KK needs to rest and finish his memoirs, remember he was taken ill in Botswana recently?

  37. # 20 & 33 ..dont fall prey to Mushota cyber lies… my guess is she finished g12 and she has a mob-dic …or mobile dictiionary like mpombo… I like her…just a minor iriitation though..

  39. If KK is happy to do it, why not let him be, together with Mama Betty. This is a lesson to all of us given resposibilities, however little, to execute such duties with diligence and dignity for its only when this is done, do we invest in our names. FTJ (R.I.P) and RB invested in their selfish pride and egos, in the process destroying their names. RB’s name is so useless now that it’s a liability to his own party and family, what a shame. Enjoy your trip Dr KK.

  41. MUSHOTA, I KNOW THIS CHAP IS A HOMO, AND HE IS A FORM 3 FAILER AT BUTONDO SECONDARY SCHOOL IN MUFULIRA. HE LEFT ZAMBIA WITH A HOMO BRITISH. THIS HOMO MUSHOTA HE WAS FUNNY EVEN AT SCHOOL, HE WAS BEHAVING LIKE A WOMAN. WHAT PAPERS HE AS BEEN MENTIONING IS A LIE. I EVEN KNOW HE FATHER, HE FATHER WAS A PLAMBER AT MUNICIPLE COUNCIL IN MUFULIRA, NOW IS PENSIONED BACK TO LAUPULA. MUSHOTA YOUR HOMO LIFE HAS MAKE YOU MAD. MAY BE YOUR ANUS IS DISTROYED BY HOMO THERE IN EUROPE.

  42. 87 and still going strong indeed! Ka Chiluba ukutemwa ifyakugonenagonena ka kika buckect bwaice bwaice. Go super Ken go!

    Just make sure you don`t call them stupid i *diots while you are there big man. God bless!

  45. Mushota could be a man. Do Zambian women have such character?

    Good to see Mama betty. And yes it is alright for ex presidents to be of such use. Just look at the Americans, and Britain where the Royal family run syuch errands to win business for UK.

  47. Some people are just too stupid to see good. It was Nelson Mandela and not Zuma who convinced the world that World cup tournerment should be held in Africa. KK started relations with china. Why not try him to help make chinese investment in zambia better. Wish RB could offer himself for something positive now that he is the former president of Zambia and not MMD. He has started good by apologising to people that trusted him alot. Let him go on radio and apologise for mongu riots and offer to do something positive for Zambia this time.

  48. Called to work even in old age. Ya but I wish we listened to yor Prophecy KK, when u came up with a divine slogan “KK wamuyaya”. Its leadership forever… until death do us part.

  49. Lubinda says that RB should not get his payments if he is still active in politics. How about KK, is he still active in politics if he is being sent as an emissary on behalf of the current govt to do the jobs that the Foreign and Commerce Ministers should be doing? Would the Zambian tax- payer have had to fork out mullah for this trip if a certain Chilufyana currently at State house had not opened his big mouth and insulted the Chinese whilst campaigning? How much is it going to cost me to have to send two frail madalas who will obviously need nursing care to China, whilst at the same time paying for the two invalids currently in state house, as well as having to foot the bill for all those commissions whose findings we already know?

  51. Shaka @21 bakateka HE MCS is a 74 year old man, the campaign trail has taken much out of him, he needs time to re-charge his batteries in order to serve our country with his best ablities. They is nothing wrong with him sending envoys while he gets our country in order. Trust the man he knows what he is doing..nothing fishy at all at all. Remember he has been fighting the demons of mmd for 10 years, the demon slayer deserves some rest

  52. Why isn’t Sata himself travelling? The truth is international interactions are beyond our president due to education. Bayopa kuenda bamudala. Or it may be due to his heart condition?

  53. #51 Are you his spokesman? The honest truth is that his education level is too low to interact internationally. They are still coaching him, the way they coached Vera Chiluba until she started speaking good English and then she was allowed to start travelling. This should be the last time that we have an illiterate president in State House. It is a waste of time. We know the truth, stop making excuses for him.

  54. @ #17. you are suggesting Sata to use Mutati???? Have you read the Lap green revelations.. The Deal Stinks!!! .. and it was Mutati who insulted Zambians by telling us that we could not understand the valuation of Zamtel!! ..KK wamu yayaya!!!! Go represent us old man!!

  55. #52 ukutumpa Sata is still putting the house in order there is more work to be done in the country than travelling. Waba umusula #52

  57. #54..my bad…Maybe Mutati was under pressure from RB..anyhow good point Napsa Wallet……I just feel we have too old pipo Sata and KK running up and down fixing stuff for us the young and energitic…

  58. While it may be a very good idea to use former leaders to carry out certain tasks, i think that we should be analystic, realistic and moral enough to know that certain tasks should not be given to those that have over-advanced in age.
    We all know that KK’s health has not been too good of late, and yet in just about two weeks ago the man was sent to Angola and now China.
    The question is, how realistic and caring are we on his health?
    Are we doing a favour to KK or we are just happy to use him whatever happens to him?
    Can’t we simply consult and get wisdom from him and sent younger leaders as we allow him to rest?
    While I know that we all can raise advantages in sending KK himself to China, I feel that a balance in our conduct is important; we need to be morally realistic.

  59. #50 KK on a PF agenda is party politics. Dont try and split hairs. If KK is on a sponsored trip to China, carrying out the work of PF is that not party politics? Also, given the fact we are a multi-party democracy, the opposition also have a part to play so your attempt to make a difference between ‘national politics’ and ‘party politics’ does not hold water. If KK is working for the PF govt then he is actively involved in politics and should not receive his benefits. 

  60. Tiende pamodzi ndi mutima umo, tiyende pamodzi ndi mutima umo. One Zambia, one nation. Viva KK, VIVA Betty, Viva president Sata. Corrupt people used their corruption to place a wedge between Zambian people and the Chinese investors. This is now the time to show that the Chinese people are not all that bad. Under the leadership of KK, China carried out one of the major economic projects which was TAZARA rail line from Dar es salaam to Kapirimposhi. This project was executed with utmost efficiency and without clamouring from locals. One then wonders how the same Chinese people have now turned to be bad workers and employers in the modern day Zambia. These people are good and hard working if they are operating in a corruption free environment, but when corrupted they respond accordingly.

  61. Bemba we say umulilo uchingile abakulu taocha.KK will do us proud and no doubt about he will work as assigned by Mr President as for mushota she is a time consumer.If you can not stay at home and contribute positively you lady keep your mouth shut.Its good for Mama Kaunda in her wheel chair to travell and meet utumachocholi she is the firstlady not ka firstlady kalya njikwite

  62. Viva KK, Now let’s get serious President Sata: Please this should be the last trip for Ba Mudala, ba Kaunda. nabakula… find a Young Prime Minister if you don’t want to Travel.

  63. Hats off for King Servant, you are always a step ahead of all the leaders and you always operate in the unexpected realm. Indeed what a great honour and dignity restoration for both Dr Kenneth David Buchizya and Mama Betty Kaunda. You can even see the glow has been rekindled in their long lives once again. May the good Lord richly bless you and your family as you bring sanity to this beloved Nation of Zambia. Shalom.

  64. Some people can not learn. Their campain tacticks of demonising HE MCS and protraying him to be ailing and ignorant failed to work but they still want to continue on the same path. Any its good so that they can remain in oppsosition for ever. Eg. gokigo and his tribal party.

  65. #55 MULE – I don’t know what language you are using, but I guyess you are either such a coward you can’t face to tell me in English or you are so illterate you can’t fully express yourself in English. So I don’t even know what you are talking about. You are talking gibberish, like a monkey.

  66. Only a group of naturally dull people would find it normal for a 74 year old fit president to send around an 88-year old man on so many long errands abroad flying at high altitute within just a span of less than 2 months between trips. What happens if Kaunda died of exhaustion, does he think Kaunda’s family would ever forgive him? In less than 2 months, Kaunda has had to fly all over twice! More trips than he ever does in that same period in normal times. He is 88 years old for Pete’s sake. That man needs to rest. Sata is really a snake in real life. He is making Kaunda work for honouring him after naming him after the airport. He knows Kaunda cna’t give an excuse to rest. If Sata cannot do the trips, what more Kaunda! Evil, pure EVIL!!

  67. Imwe countrymen, what exactly is Kambwili’s job???? Angola – KK, Malawi – Veep, Australia – Veep, China – KK. Kambwili appears bored and he is now discussing domesic issues. What a waste!

  69. Manje ba mwami ba Kuanda naku nkala ba deputy Vice Foreign affairs minister? mwati bata sata bali choncho? Ba mwami ba Kuanda ba yenelo pumula anso.

  70. Kambwili is the Chief cadre naimwe – Ni Chibobe bobe – Kula Chituma fye ukuli konse – Uncle Micheal Atila fye ati, “Iwe Kambwili leta ama tobo kuno”…

  71. This kind of leadeship explains how a youth is denied chance to prosper.Why send the old as if the young are not in existance.Wake up zambia……………….

  72. Dr.Kaunda has taken his wife for special medical attention in China.Sata will never appoint the young to positons of responsibilities.MY children listen,you are never in his mind and dreams.

  73. I think Mama Betty is going to China to get a modern wheel chair coz I have never heard that she left Zambia in years. Technology in China ni zee

  74. Next send RB to Malawi as your special envoy. Is this picture the recent one , i doubt??? KK u have many days in China so please find chance to address us students in China we need your wisdom?

  76. How do you say ‘Excuse the tail in between my legs. We are very sorry, we did not realise how much we need you’ in Chinese?

  78. he was listed as the 6th richest president in the world when he was the president. he has gone to get the zambian politicians contracts. BIG CHINK MONY

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