Zambia’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom His Excellency Mr. Muyeba Chikonde has been bestowed with the Freedom of the City of London, becoming an honorary citizen of the City. He has been honoured for his contribution to Diplomacy.
Freedom of the City is the highest honour that the City of London can bestow. It is given to individuals who have made a significant impact in their field. This includes Politicians, Diplomats, the Clergy, Actors, Sportsmen and Musicians, among others.
The presentation ceremony took place in the Chamberlain’s Court of the historical Guildhall building. In attendance was the Remembrancer of the City of London, Paul Double, whose traditional role dates as far back as 1571 of being the channel of communications between the Lord Mayor and the City of London, on the one hand and the Sovereign, royal household and Parliament on the other.
The award is also a demonstration of the existing good relations between Zambia and the United Kingdom. Since his appointment, High Commissioner Chikonde has facilitated several high profile visits, among them by the Lord Mayors of the City of London to strengthen business ties between Zambia and the UK.
In February 2016, The Lord Mayor of the City of London, Jeffrey Mountevans, led a business delegation to Zambia in order to strengthen bilateral trade between the two countries.
And in February 2017, The Lord Mayor of the City of London, Alderman Dr. Andrew Parmley visited Zambia. The Lord Mayor’s visit marked the start of a new collaborative campaign by the UK’s financial and professional services sector to build relations with international partners as part of a Commonwealth expansion programme.
Zambia and the UK have both benefitted from strong relationships bilaterally, which have deepened in recent years.
High Commissioner Chikonde joins world leaders including; Nelson Mandela and Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Late Princess Diana, former British Prime Minister Winston Churchill, The Queen, Actor, Morgan Freeman, Florence Nightingale, General Eisenhower and former American President Theodore Roosevelt and High Commissioner Anderson Chibwa among others.
The Freedom of the City of London is an honour conferred by London City Corporation upon a valued member of the community, a visiting celebrity or dignitary. The City invites individuals who have made a significant impact in their field to take up the Freedom to acknowledge their particular contribution. The Freedom of the City of London dates back to 1237 where beneficiaries were able to undertake trade in the city.
Though, some of the traditional privileges associated with the Freedom, such as driving sheep over London Bridge, are not commonly practiced presently, the Freedom has maintained many other privileges in addition to providing the receiver a link with the historic City of London and one of its antique traditions.
Issued by: Abigail Chaponda (Mrs.)
First Secretary | Press and Public Relations
Zambia High Commission in the United Kingdom.
Imagine Freedom of the City given to Freedom Sikazwe for the freedom to smile….
Congratulations, Your Excellence for making the smart people of the Zambian Enterprise proud … Let’s roll
And what about our Phd (prostitute harlot dunderhead) Mushota what has it been given by the Scottish and Nick apart from syphillus and hepatitis B.
wow…
Normally In the civilised world… including SA, they break it down and are as clear to let the people know how ingenious the recipient of the award is.
We needed to quantity the trade and also know exactly what the British will be trading with us.
Remember, we were colonised through trade. Remember, they are looking to be great again after Brexit.They all come smiling and once they are in, you find yourselves living in forests again. So! What exactly have the British tangibly been so happy about so we may compare with what Zambia will be benefiting in turn?
I wouldn’t rush to congratulate, it would be conjecture on my part.
Thanks
Jealous down! This is great achievement sir. May the Lord expand your scope to serve the country with dignity and distinction.
One wonders what these chaps do om a daily basis in their offices, I mean, you go and enquire about how to go about getting your dual citizenship, you will find nobody knows anything, they don’t even have a simple application form!
Zambian Embassies abroad are underutilised because in most cases they are filled with cadres who are not qualified to understand the work of an embassy. Chikonde, on the other hand, seems like an intelligent diplomat from the few times I have heard him speak, I think he was appointed in merit. The rest kuwayaya fye
Yaba! HaNEGATIVES HAGAIN! Congratulations.
Maybe.
But note that his wife is Christine Kaseba Sata young sister!
What has that got to do with what he has been honoured for? It’s what he has achieved even if he ‘might’ have gotten there by his relations with Sata that matters. He is wisely utilizing his opportunities and making them his own. Just give praise where it’s due!
What food do UPND thugs eat to cause their hearts so evil and calloused? Bitter herbs?
SATA’S LEGACY; NEPOTISM, THEN CORRUPTION FLOWED LIKE THE FALLS. HOW CAN YOU HAVE FOREIGN MISSIONS OPERATING LIKE JAMSON & SONS?
Congratulations your Excellency.
So what exactly does contributing to diplomacy mean?? He is a diplomat. So what extraordinary thing did he actually do. I understand he organised a trip for the one giving him the honour, but us that extraordinary??
Please educate me I am lost
I am happy for him though, don’t get me wrong!
One of the best High Commissioners we have genuinely had in London. Very supportive guy and active! Congratulations Sir and best wishes!
Congratulations Your Excellence you deserve it
Congratulations!!