Diplomats graduate, ready for duty

NINETEEN diplomats including three high-ranked military officers from Botswana have graduated from a month-long course at Zambia Institute of Diplomacy and International Studies (ZIDIS).
Among the graduates were Zambia’s ambassador-designate to Malaysia Emmanuel Mwamba and deputy ambassador to Sweden Anthony Mukwita.
Other graduates included Botswana’s Brigadier General Boikanyo Addanes, Colonel Thomamo Makolo and Colonel Sehularo Pelekekae.
ZIDIS director Lyson Tembo said it is important for diplomats to study issues that impact on modern diplomacy and their countries in particular.
Professor Tembo said diplomacy affects not only governments but non-governmental organisations.
“Personal behaviour is very important if you are to succeed as a diplomat. Pay attention to detail and be loyal to the country,” Prof. Tembo said
Prof Tembo said the diplomats must have the attributes of hard work and humility.
He said the institute is very important because people learn about international relations and it manages people who are going to put to the international community interests of their countries.
“As diplomats take time to study the impact of television, radio and social media and its relevance to negotiations,” Prof Tembo said
And ZIDIS registrar Misheck Mwanza has appealed to political parties to encourage their cadres to attend training at the institute.
“Encourage cadres to come here so that they can learn how to resolve issues through diplomacy. In diplomacy there are no pangas,” Mr Mwanza said
Mr Mwanza said there would be little conflicts in political circles if cadres took time to learn diplomacy.
And Mr Mwamba said the institute has to be supported because it deals in international issues.
Mr Mwamba said Government should increase the levels of the institute because the training made him feel ready to represent Zambia.
And deputy ambassador -designate to Sweden Anthony Mukwita thanked President Lungu for his appointment.
Mr Mukwita said he will put in his best to represent Zambia well.