Minister Lamola conveys condolences in Zambia, discusses repose of former President Lungu
The Minister of International Relations and Cooperation of the Republic of South Africa, Mr Ronald Lamola, MP, on Sunday concluded a High-Level Diplomatic Mission to Lusaka, Republic of Zambia, as Presidential Special Envoy.
Minister Lamola was received by His Excellency President Hakainde Hichilema, to whom he conveyed President Ramaphosa's profound condolences on behalf of the Government and people of South Africa.
Minister Lamola expressed solidarity with the Government and citizens of Zambia following the untimely passing of former President Edgar Lungu, assuring them of South Africa's unwavering support during this period of national mourning.
In reaffirming the South African Government's position, Minister Lamola emphasised that a state burial in Zambia represents the most fitting tribute to honour Former President Lungu's distinguished legacy and service to the Zambian nation.
Concurrently, Minister Lamola acknowledged the legal obligation to respect the expressed wishes of the late former President's immediate family.
He underscored the Government's commitment to navigating this sensitive matter with the utmost dignity, grace, and mutual respect principles befitting the memory of a revered statesman and the enduring bonds between South Africa and Zambia.
The Minister extended prayers and sympathies to all affected by this loss and reiterated South Africa's steadfast friendship with Zambia.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Republic of South Africa: Department of International Relations and Cooperation.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Zawya
37 minutes ago
- Zawya
President Ruto, Samaila Zubairu and Africa's Top Chief Executive Officer's (CEO) to Headline The Africa Debate in London
Invest Africa ( is pleased to announce Africa Finance Corporation (AFC) as Headline Partner for the 11th edition of The Africa Debate, taking place on Wednesday, 2 July 2025 at the Guildhall, in the heart of the City of London. This year's theme — "Harnessing Natural Capital for Growth" — seeks to interrogate how Africa can transform the scale and structure of investment around its most enduring assets: from its critical minerals and fertile land to its human ingenuity and demographic dynamism. Now firmly established as the UK's premier forum for Africa-focused investment dialogue, The Africa Debate will convene over 700 senior decision-makers from across government, finance, and industry for a full day of high-level exchanges. Through keynote addresses, ministerial dialogues, and curated sector debates, the programme will explore how to turn extractive advantage into structural transformation — mobilising green industrialisation, digital infrastructure, intra-African trade, and new financial instruments to drive inclusive, climate-smart growth. This year's speaker line-up reflects the extraordinary breadth of voices shaping Africa's next chapter, from heads of state to the stewards of global capital. Highlights include: H.E. William Ruto, President of the Republic of Kenya; H.E. Hailemariam Desalegn Boshe, Former Prime Minister of Ethiopia; Board Chair, TradeMark Africa; H.E. Wamkele Mene, Secretary-General, African Continental Free Trade Area Secretariat; Benedict Oramah, President, Afreximbank; Samaila Zubairu, President&CEO, Africa Finance Corporation; Abebe Aemro Selassie, Director, African Department, International Monetary Fund; Solomon Quaynor, Vice President for Private Sector, Infrastructure&Industrialisation, African Development Bank; Strive Masiyiwa, Founder&Chair, Econet Wireless; Duncan Wanblad, CEO, Anglo American; Wale Tinubu, CEO, Oando Plc; Monique Gieskes, CEO, PHC; Marie-Chantal Kaninda, President, Glencore DRC; and more. The full programme is now available to view here ( with detailed sessions on value chain transformation, blended finance, regional infrastructure, and Africa's positioning in a multipolar global economy. Samaila Zubairu, President and CEO of Africa Finance Corporation, commented: 'Natural capital is only as valuable as the systems that refine, protect, and elevate it. At AFC, we believe that infrastructure is the bridge between Africa's resource richness and the continent's ability to rapidly industrialise and take its rightful place on the global stage. Our partnership with Invest Africa and The Africa Debate underscores the need for thoughtful, long-term capital — deployed strategically — to unlock the continent's full economic potential. We are proud to support a platform that challenges assumptions and catalyses bold, bankable solutions.' Chantelé Carrington, CEO of Invest Africa, added: 'Africa's path to prosperity must be built not on extraction, but on transformation. This year's theme compels us to ask harder questions about how we steward the continent's assets — human, natural, and institutional — in a world shaped by climate change, technological disruption, and shifting geopolitical priorities. With AFC's visionary leadership, we are honoured to convene a dialogue that is ambitious in scope, rigorous in thought, and focused on meaningful outcomes.' Confirmed Sponsors of The Africa Debate Include: Africa Finance Corporation (Headline Partner), Absa Group, Afreximbank, FirstBank UK Limited, Invest KZN, Standard Chartered, Standard Bank Group, Plantations et Huileries du Congo, Lagos Free Zone (Tolaram), Octopus Energy, ServiceNow, Stellar Developments, Spiro, Safaricom, Premier Invest, Remittances Hub, S-RM, DLA Piper, and London Stock Exchange Group. To register as a delegate for The Africa Debate, please visit: Places are limited and advance registration is essential. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Invest Africa. For more information or media enquiries, please contact: Pippa van Breda Marketing&Communications Manager Invest Africa T: +44 2037 305 035 E: About The Africa Debate: The Africa Debate is London's premier investment forum dedicated to shaping the future of African trade, investment, and economic transformation. Now in its 11th year, the event serves as a critical platform for global businesses, investors, policymakers, and thought leaders to engage in high-level discussions on Africa's evolving role in the global economy. About Invest Africa: Invest Africa is a leading pan-African business platform that promotes trade and investment across the continent. With a 60-year heritage and a network of over 400 global members, Invest Africa provides trusted intelligence, strategic connections, and high-level convenings to support business success across African markets. About Africa Finance Corporation: Africa Finance Corporation is Africa's leading multilateral finance institution, focused on bridging the continent's infrastructure gap through innovative, commercially viable, and sustainable investments.
Khaleej Times
4 hours ago
- Khaleej Times
Sharjah introduces marriage leave for government employees
Sharjah introduced marriage leave for employees in government agencies, who will be eligible for eight days of leave. This move, introduced for the first time, comes under a new decree-law on human resources in the emirate, issued by Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah. The decree-law includes other provisions, among which are priority of government appointment for citizens and children of female citizens. Non-citizens may be appointed on contracts in accordance with the executive regulations. Abdullah Ibrahim Al Zaabi, Chairman of the Sharjah Human Resources Department, explained via "Direct Line" that important features of the decree-law include the creation of a part-time work system, and a grade system (A-B) for government appointment. The law also saw the introduction of a new veterinary system in Sharjah. Earlier this year, the Sharjah government also approved "care leave" for female employees who give birth to a sick or disabled child requiring continuous care. The leave, which begins after the completion of maternity leave, may be extended annually for up to three years.
The National
4 hours ago
- The National
Europe calls for renewed nuclear diplomacy after efforts fall short
European officials have urged Tehran to return to the negotiating table on Monday, despite the US bombing of Iran underscoring the limits of diplomacy. Most European leaders have refrained from criticising the Israeli and US air attacks. Irish Foreign Minister Simon Harris, one of the few officials to describe the US strikes as "very unhelpful", said negotiations were the only path to "avoid an already tinderbox situation getting even worse". There was little progress last week at talks in Geneva between Iran and the E3 countries - the UK, France and Germany - and US President Donald Trump described the meeting as unhelpful. Yet both sides had said they were happy to continue negotiations, a position Iran abruptly reversed after the US hit three of its main nuclear sites at the weekend. Speaking in Istanbul, Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, who was reported to be visibly angry, declared diplomacy 'irrelevant' in light of the attacks and warned of a retaliatory response. 'It's not time for diplomacy now,' he said. In Brussels, Germany's Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul appeared to acknowledge that European efforts were falling short. "Iran says it only wants to negotiate with Europe and we see that as a good sign but we do also say that's not sufficient. We want to see the US involved," Mr Wadephul said after a breakfast with EU counterparts to discuss Iran. Senior EU officials say there is no alternative to diplomacy. Asked by The National to react to Mr Trump's comments about the Geneva talks, the EU's foreign affairs chief, Kaja Kallas, defended them. "It was very important that we do this outreach. We have done this before," Ms Kallas said, referring to the 2015 nuclear deal with Iran, from which Mr Trump pulled out three years later during his first presidency. "Iran was opening up to discuss all topics nuclear but also broader security issues concerning Europe," Ms Kallas added. Ms Kallas's predecessors had played a lead mediation role between Iran and world powers during the nuclear deal negotiations. Yet a shifting geopolitical landscape in the Middle East has weakened the EU's diplomatic weight, with Israel viewed as unrestrained in its regional military operations in the aftermath of the October 7, 2023, Hamas-led attacks. The EU has also refrained from using its full leverage on the Gaza war, despite calls from some countries to reconsider establishing ties with Israel. Of the E3, only the UK is believed to have been briefed in advance about US strikes on Iran early Sunday. Hours before, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot had said on X that talks between Europe and Iran would "accelerate." That now appears unlikely. Speaking in Brussels, Mr Barrot pushed back against Mr Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's calls for regime change in Iran. "The objective is not only to temporarily delay Iran's access to nuclear weapons for us Europeans, but to delay it permanently," he said, warning that the only alternative was "eternal war against Iran". Mr Barrot added: "If anyone has another idea, I invite them to come forward."
