By Gershom Ndhlovu
Zambian High Commissioner to Canada, Dr Nevers Mumba has
set establishing a direct line of communication between Zambians resident in Canada with the high commission as his immediate goal.
In a letter addressed to all Zambians and friends of Zambia in Canada dated August 20, 2009, Dr Mumba also said the Mission was upgrading its website to make it more interactive and bring it in line with the most recent technology in order to improve services to the Zambians.
“This note is meant to introduce myself to you and affirm my commitment to working in partnership with you as we advance the interests of our country, Zambia here in Canada,” wrote Dr Mumba who arrived in the north American country in early July, taking over from Mr David Saviye.
“His Excellency the President, Mr Rupiah Banda’s mandate to me is to help re-establish the once vibrant bilateral relations that existed between Zambia and Canada and to create a platform for Zambians living in Canada to fully participate in the improvement of our nation’s quality of life.
Dr Mumba also stated that the Mission existed to ensure that the interests and welfare of every Zambian living in Canada were protected.
“I pledge to work with you regardless of the nature of your circumstances,” adding that he operated an open door policy and that people are free to contact him directly when they have an important matter which they believed his intervention would be appropriate.
Dr Mumba’s initial correspondence to Zambians in Canada is a welcome step because Zambians living abroad have little or no confidence in their embassies and high commissions where they are treated as if they are a nuisance.
The best example is the recent case of a Zambian student in Moscow, Russia, Cardson Kabwe (see story here) who suffered from a heart condition requiring surgery. The Zambian embassy simply recommended that he should be sent to Zambia where he faced certain death until other Zambians donated money towards the cost of treatment.
Tags: Cardson Kabwe, Dr Nevers Mumba, President Rupiah Banda