Sat, 14 Oct 2017 09:48:56 +0000
By Oscar Malipenga
ZAMBIA and South Africa share similar values of democracy, peace, dialogue and unity, President Edgar Lungu has said.
President Lungu said Zambia remains committed to creating an even more conducive environment for the prosperity and well-being of the people, reflected on common resolve to fight poverty, inequality and promote peace, stability and unity.
President Lungu said Zambia values the relations it shares with South Africa which had blossomed over the years as could be attested by the high level exchange of visits between the two countries.
The President was speaking at a State Banquet hosted for visiting South African President Jacob Zuma at Taj Pamodzi Hotel in Lusaka on Thursday.
Mr Lungu said: “However, one cannot speak about our bilateral relations without referring to our shared history, our shared culture and shared vision of our founding fathers, who stood shoulder to shoulder to liberate the SADC region in particular and the African continent in general from the shackles of colonialism and apartheid.”
He said Zambia and South Africa relations have been founded on history, common culture and a fruitful and dynamic cooperation.
“It is extremely significant that your Excellency’s visit has coincided with the launch of the house in which late comrade Oliver Reginald Tambo lived, as a heritage site,” he said.
President Lungu said the people of Zambia were proud to join their brothers and sisters in South Africa in commemorating the centenary anniversary of the life of a gallant son of Africa, Mr Tambo. He said Mr Tambo spent over two decades of his life in Lusaka, which was home to the Africa National Congress headquarters and many other regional liberation movements.
President Lungu said it was imperative that Zambia and South Africa deepen bilateral cooperation and partnership.
“I am pleased, in that regard, that our respective officials have had an opportunity to discuss a wide range of issues relating to our rich cooperation.
“I am confident that the agreements we have concluded under the Joint Commission of Cooperation framework will be effectively implemented,” Mr Lungu.
