By Patson Chilemba
Former first lady Dr Christine Kaseba Sata says she is not untouchable, while thanking former president Edgar Lungu and President Hakainde Hichilema for having allowed her to serve in the foreign missions, and stressing that she is still available for other national assignments if the President deems fit.
Speaking with Daily Revelation following her recall from the diplomatic service where she served as the country’s Ambassador to France, Dr Kaseba said her time to bow out has come so that another person can also serve.
Asked if she was still open to any future appointment from President Hichilema if he deemed so, Dr Kaseba said she was still open to an appointment, as service to Zambians overides all.
“So it doesn’t really matter where you are and what you are doing so long as you are serving the people of Zambia. There are many ways. And I am even glad that you have asked this question because people might think ‘oh ninshi bababwesesha’ and blame the President. I don’t think so because there are many ways in which a person can seve the Zambia people,” Dr Kaseba said. “So if the President felt okay, yes I still need you to work on this, I think for the sake of the Zambian people we all need to give a helping hand to the President.”
But asked that some might have been of the view that she was ‘untouchable’ from recalls given her stature as former first lady, Dr Kaseba said no one is untouchable.
“And I think Zambia would make better strides if each person realises that no one is untouchable. We have laws that govern, we have everything that governs. In terms of work if somebody thinks because I was former first lady and can’t be recalled, I don’t think it should be viewed like that. And the President himself has said he will look at the cons and pros. He wants to strengthen the civil service and I shouldn’t then think I am better than the other person,” Dr Kaseba said. “If the President feels he’s got somebody who needs to work in a way that he wants to work we shouldn’t be fighting him. We should just say how can we help, what is there to do and bow out.”
She urged that Zambians should work as one and be available to decisions made by the head of state.
“I wish to thank first and foremost the two presidents starting with president Lungu who saw it fit to send me in diplomatic service. I would also want to thank President Hichilema who saw it fit to retain me in diplomatic service till I finished my contract,” Dr Kaseba said. “And I would like to thank almost everyone, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, you the press for the support that you did offer. You know it’s not easy. A lot of people think foreign service is going on a holiday but when you arrive that’s when you realise now that it’s a lot of work. So for that I am grateful to the Zambian people … If we made mistakes please we are just human beings.”
Recounting her time in the foreign service, Dr Kaseba said there is a lot of potential for Zambia to attract investors as the country has what it takes with a very conducive investment environment, saying this is where the country needs diplomats to work hard to attract more quality investors by focussing on a win-win situations to ensure sustainable investment.
She said it was clear for those who have served in diplomatic missions that each country fights for its own benefits, therefore striking a balance should be done at planning level to avoid investors dictating terms afterwards.
She said she welcomed the Public Private Partnership model which said would be key in moving developments in all the developing countries, therefore what was needed was to strategically get the right investors, those who will buy into the country’s development plans.
Dr Kaseba said she was happy that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs was redoing the policy which would make it easier to identify strengths of countries to send diplomats with specific tasks to be achieved.
