It seems that Monday May 25 2009 is a Bank Holiday all over the world. In Africa it’s Africa Freedom Day. Rupiah Banda, President of Zambia, was at the Freedom Statue on Freedom Way in Lusaka today paying tribute, along with the rest of Africa, to ‘the gallant men and women who fought to emancipate Africa from colonialism, economic underdevelopment and other forms of oppression’. And the struggle is surely still being fought today. Issuing an address last night, President Banda spoke of unity within Africa – a United States of Africa, and of economic diversification within Zambia….
For President Banda, today is a day for Africans to renew their resolve to foster economic, political and social cooperation. He believes that a united, peaceful and prosperous Africa – a United States of Africa – would be in a better position to play a significant role in global affairs. COMESA, SADC, NEPAD etc. are all efforts to promote complementary goals, and have helped develop deeper integration within the continent, leading to increased trade and investment. For Zambia itself, he sees the need to intensify diversification of the Zambian economy – from dependence of minerals in the immediate and medium term.
We at the Best of Zambia agree that Zambia needs to diversify its economy – and it can. As just one example, the potential for increased tourism in Zambia is huge, especially now that 85% of tourists use the Internet to help them with their holiday arrangements. Zambia certainly has a lot to offer the adventurous visitor looking for a special kind of Africa holiday ‘away from it all’.
Posted by Julia Rosamund Brown Monday May 25 2009
