Gaborone, Botswana – Zambia’s new High Commissioner to Botswana, Pamela M. Chisanga, presented her Credentials to President Mokgweetsi Eric Keabetswe Masisi on Wednesday, October 25, 2023.
During the ceremony, President Masisi sent his warm regards to his Zambian counterpart, President Hakainde Hichilema, and thanked him for appointing Chisanga. He stressed the importance of dialogue between the two countries at the highest level and urged Chisanga to accelerate dialogue on various matters vital to their development cooperation.
President Masisi also underscored the longstanding warm relations between Botswana and Zambia, noting that even though their border is the shortest in the region, it is “very significant in the history of the region; as that little conduit of a border provided the opportunity to liberate the whole of Southern-Africa.” He added that the construction of the Kazungula Bridge and One Stop Border Post has made the border a conduit for enhancing regional integration and trade, particularly in the context of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
President Masisi also congratulated Zambia for taking up the Chair of the SADC Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation in August 2023 and praised President Hichilema for his commendable work in Chairing the SADC Organ.
In response, High Commissioner Chisanga reiterated the historical close ties between Zambia and Botswana, noting that the opening of the Zambian High Commission Chancery in Gaborone on October 25, 1971 by Sir Seretse Khama, the founding President of Botswana, was a poignant occasion.
Ms. Chisanga added that the relations between Zambia and Botswana provide an opportunity to present a shining example of how regional integration can be achieved through collaboration in trade and development projects based on the two countries’ comparative advantages. She noted that the two countries have complementary strengths and endowments of resources in areas such as agriculture, where Zambia has a lot of arable land and good rainfall, while Botswana has a highly developed livestock sector.
Ms. Chisanga stated that during her tenure, she would work towards increasing the volume of trade between the two countries, which has remained low despite the many opportunities for collaboration. She also highlighted Botswana’s successes in the mining sector, especially in harnessing the benefits of its minerals to enhance local development, adding that Zambia, which is also endowed with minerals, stands to learn a lot from Botswana’s achievements.
The High Commissioner commended President Masisi on the various innovative initiatives undertaken by his Government, such as the Reset Agenda and Mindset Change programme, which are already having a positive impact on Botswana’s economy. She added that other countries in the region could also benefit from implementing similar initiatives.
Ms. Chisanga also expressed appreciation for the continued role that Botswana, under the leadership of President Masisi, continues to play in promoting democracy, peace, and stability in the region.
