Sata hails Mzembi

Addressing a committee tasked with making plans for the crucial tourism conference, President Sata said the Zambians should emulate what the Masvingo South Member of Parliament is doing in Zimbabwe towards the successful hosting of the event.

“We as Zambians need to learn something from Minister Mzembi of Zimbabwe. He is organised and hardworking. If just a number of us can demonstrate attributes like he showed during the ground-breaking meeting, we will increase tourist numbers to our country and with his involvement we are guaranteed success at next year’s global tourism showcase,” President Sata told the Zambian National Broadcasting Corporation on Tuesday.

The remarks come in the wake of efforts in both countries who will host the global event, to increase their efforts to make it a success.
Added President Sata: “Zimbabwe is blessed to have such a young man with vision and sense of purpose. He really impressed me with his conduct and forthrightness. He is an asset in this and we hope as Zambians, we will play our part to make it a success, come next year”.

Contacted for comment, Minister Mzembi said he was humbled to get such complimentary remarks from President Sata.
“I did not know that we were under observation when we met at the trilateral event in May in Victoria Falls.
“I am really humbled by such words. however, considering the nature of the event that will be co-hosted by the two neighbouring countries, it gives the presidents of both countries the power of supervision.

“For me such comments have been especially touching because remember I am a Zambian trained engineer and therefore it makes it more natural having spent my formative years in that country.

“In the most recent past I had the privilege of meeting the Zambian founding president Kenneth Kaunda on the sidelines of the Tourism Peace Summit in Lusaka last year.

“He was president at the time of my training in the 80s while President Sata was the Minister of Local Government,” said Minister Mzembi.
After the Victoria Falls event in May, the Zambian Foreign and Tourism Minister Given Lubinda pledged to work over the UNWTO conference and this comment is testimony to the work done by Minister Mzembi.

A short while ago, he was also presented with a lifesize “Man of the Moment” portrait of President Mugabe after he was elected president of the Africa Tourism Association.

Accepting the portrait, Minister Mzembi shed tears after he was overcome with emotion, drawing him attack from some sections of the media.