Full Magazine Interview with Mr. Anderson Chibwa -Zambia High Commissioner to the United Kingdom
Last Updated on Sunday, 15 March 2009 10:02 Monday, 13 August 2007 10:15
Such issues include the new positive image of Zambia on the international scene, the cordial bi-lateral relationship between Zambia and the United Kingdom. Others include the general welfare of Zambians living and working in the UK, and their socio-economic contributions to the UK and Zambia. Furthermore, his own private life and achievements came under the view of the Magazine’s Editorial Team.
Mr. Chibwa is the current Zambia High Commissioner to the UK and the first under the leadership of President Levy P. Mwanawasa. He went to the University of Zambia, and got admitted into the Education department, specialising
in Geography. Mr. Chibwa also holds a Masters degree in Population Geography and much of his background is that of an Analyst and Researcher, working behind the scenes in Africa and America under the aegis of the National Council for Scientific Research and later for Pan African Institute for Development, where he specialised in rural development.
While at the university, he became part of many young men who were later to become Zambia’s Political leaders. Amongst whom are the current President of Zambia, Levy Mwanawasa then a law student at the same University.
An excerpt of the interview is below:
What is your mandate as the Zambian High Commissioner to the UK?
Our mandate is to woo foreign investors to Zambia. To encourage British business to invest in Zambia in view of the new
conductive environment for foreign investments. Such encouragement is the stable political, economic and social
environment. Others include the stability of the local currency, effective infrastructures,tax liberalization and low level of infl ation. All these are put in place to woo foreign investment to Zambia. Couple with the fact that Zambia is relatively peaceful
and a fertile ground for investment when compared with her neighbours.
As the number one citizen of Zambia in the UK, what are your expectations of Zambians in the UK?
I want to try and bring Zambians wherever they are in this country more closely together.The strategy is to encourage them to form themselves into professional Associations like our friends from West Africa to form a local chapter of Professional Associations, like Medical doctors working here have done. That way they help to keep colleagues at home up-to-date with technology in their respective professionals. I would also advise qualified Zambians to go back home.
What is the offi cial number of Zambians living in the UK?
It is not possible to have an offi cial figure of Zambians living in the UK. This is because some Zambians who upon arrival in the UK register themselves with the Mission but upon departure often they do not come back to the Mission to update our records. The other problem is that some Zambians who come to the UK do not simply register themselves with the Mission. However, we continue to enlighten them on the implications of not complying with simple protocol.
What advice would you give to some successful Zambians in the UK who may be considering investing or settling in Zambia?
In the last five years, the Zambian government has made tremendous progress in reviving the economy. The country has reached a very exciting period, during which all well-meaning Zambians should start to prepare to eventually return back home. Zambians in the UK can do this in various ways; they may think of setting up their own businesses, or start smallscale enterprises, go into joint ventures, partnership or look for employment on the bases of the skills and experience attained while in the UK. Zambia can only develop if Zambians are patriotic enough to make their own contributions.
What are the current Zambian government strategies to reduce unemployment and encourage economic development?
The Government’s priority is primarily focused on fiscal discipline in the management of public resources in order to stabilise
the macro economic indicators. The government in the last two years has significantly reduced borrowing from the Central bank and has created an attractive investment climate which has resulted in increased foreign direct investment in the tourism, minning, sector. The challenge for the government is translating the macroeconomic stability into micro stability. This is to facilitate communities, households and individual create employment and enterprises themselves rather than waiting on government for everything. Zambians need to see themselves as partners with government. “Let every Zambian roll their sleeves up for hard work.”
How can Zambians in the UK get involved positively in influencing government policies or direction through your office?
First and foremost, Zambians in the UK should get organised at an individual as well as at community levels. The High
Commission would like to play a facilitating role to Zambians who have good ideas, and would also like to see Zambians being kept abreast of the developments at home. From time to time, the Mission will facilitate meetings between Zambians in the UK and our leaders who may be visiting or passing through London. This is to continue to create a platform for two-way flow of information and ideas.
How open is your offi ce?
The Zambia High Commission in London is accessible to all Zambians regardless of their racial, religious and political,
affi liations. Therefore, all Zambians should feel free to interact with the Mission staff without necessarily emphasising any special procedures. Of course it just a matter of etiquette and being realistic to seek an appointment so that the ideal offi cers can get well prepared for meetings. This is to enable that quality time is spent by both parties.
Does the High Commission assist families of the deceased in repatriating the bodies of their dead relatives to Zambia?
Let me express the High Commission’s sympathy to the families of the bereaved. I know it’s very painful to lose a loved
one. However, the honest truth is that I cannot over emphasize the urgent need for Zambians to organise themselves into
community groups and identify their needs and aspirations. Unfortunately, the High Commission has no capacity to assist during such diffi culties.
What has been your experience of interacting with Zambians?
Thank you for the recognition of my visits to other parts of the UK to interact with Zambians. Though I feel that I have not visited other places such as Leicester, Sheffi eld, etc. I have been to Cardiff, Edinburgh, Leeds, Peterborough, York, Teesside, Coventry, South Port and Manchester to name but just a few. The impression I get wherever I visit is that Zambians are very positive about their stay here and also that they are very encouraged with development especially on the economic front in Zambia. It gives me joy to say that Zambians in the UK are true ambassadors of the country and they should keep it up.
Can you share your thoughts about this first issue of the UKZAMBIANS magazine?
The UKZAMBIANS Magazine is a demonstration of citizens’ feeling good and confident about themselves and for themselves (Proud to be Zambian!). I hope the UKZAMBIANS Magazine will act as a forum to inform Zambians in the United Kingdom and the International Community of the vast economic opportunities that are being created for both Zambians and non Zambians alike in Zambia.
The country is recording very positive economic growth in all areas the economy especially in finance, real estate, agriculture, infrastructural development, mining activities, manufacturing and tourism, and Zambians in the Diaspora are being encouraged to participate in the development of the country. Zambia is a logical hub for the Southern African Development Community (SADC) it is at the heart of economic integration of the Southern Africa region. The country’s geographical location of being surrounded by eight neighboring countries makes Zambia an attractive base for investors looking for access to wider regional markets. Zambia has made tremendous progress in stabilizing macro-economic indicators. For the first time in a long period, inflation is in a single digit, lending rates are coming down and the Zambian currency (Kwacha) has appreciated and it is stable. Zambia is on the move in the right direction, the turn around in the economic fortunes of the country is the reason why the Zambia High Commission in London has been in the limelight. Our mandate is to inform Zambians in the Diaspora as well as potential foreign investors of the opportunities available in
our country.
In welcoming the launch of UKZAMBIANS, I would like to appeal for good-faith efforts by all Zambians in the United Kingdom as well as at home to support the success of this magazine. Let all Zambians be mobilized for the good of Zambia. Finally, I sincerely thank and congratulate the UKZAMBIANS magazine publisher and wish the management and staff all the very best of luck.
NOW COME AND ATTEND THE LAUNCH PARTY THIS FRIDAY, 17TH AUGUST 2007
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