Maravi

N/Western Province mining projects impress King Mswati

N/Western Province mining projects impress King Mswati
Written by Christopher Miti in Mfuwe
Monday, July 20, 2009 7:36:22 AM

KING Mswati III of Swaziland has said he is impressed with the mining activities in North Western Province. Speaking on arrival at Mfuwe airport after the tour of the copper mines in Solwezi with President Rupiah Banda on Saturday, King Mswati said he was happy that he saw the mines in North Western Province.

"I want to thank all of you for the warm welcome and good hospitality that shows that the people of Swaziland and the people of Zambia are one people, your waiting for us up until this time shows us an opportunity that we should be able to move together and I’m also very pleased that I have been able to come to meet you all in this province," King Mswati said.

"You know I have just come from the other province before I came here to see the other activity. This time we are here to see how the people of this area are living. Your Excellency, in the other area of the activities that are taking place there we were able to see the copper mine as you know we are all related. Here there is a lot of wildlife."

He said he was very prepared to see the wildlife activities in Mfuwe.

He assured the people of Eastern Province that even through it was his first visit to the province, it would not be the last.

"...the Kingdom of Swaziland and Zambia have a good relationship and my coming here is to promote the relationship which exists between our two countries and we want to make sure that we promote the good bilateral strength of activities that we have between our two countries," King Mswati said.

And President Banda said the people of Zambia were very honoured to receive His Majesty, King Mswati.

"It's very, very special for us in Zambia, for us here in Eastern Province, and for us in North Western Province where we have come from because we are visited by His Majesty. Am repeating this for the benefit of our protocol officers. He is not his royal highness. He is His Majesty, the King of Swaziland, is the one who is amongst us," President Banda said. "Your Majesty the people of Eastern Province where my parents come from, where I come from, are very honoured to receive the King of Africa. He is found in one of the oldest kingdoms that Africa had never had. His late father King Sobhuza his grandfather or the other grandfather they had ruled that Kingdom for as long as many of us can remember. We are greatly honoured that you are stepping on our soil here in Zambia and here in the Eastern Province Your Majesty."

President Banda was accompanied by his wife, Thandiwe, tourism minister Catherine Namugala and finance minister Dr Situmbeko Musokotwane while King Mswati was accompanied by Inkhosikatila-Magongo, Prince Mcwasho and Princess Temashayina.

The two leaders were yesterday expected to go game viewing at South Luangwa National Park before meeting chiefs in the afternoon.

King Mswati is expected to leave for Swaziland today.

Labels: KING MASWATI III, NORTHWESTERN PROVINCE

posted by MrK @ 6:36 AM