ZAMBIA’S top diplomat to the United Kingdom visited Whitecrook recently for a special celebration of the country’s independence.

Muyeba Chikonde has only been the high commissioner — the Commonwealth role of ambassador — to the UK for three months so it was his first visit to Scotland.

Centre 81 hosted the prestigious event a few weeks ago and many Zambians and Africans attended from across Clydebank.

The whole affair was organised by the Scotland—Zambia Partnership and billed as ‘Zambia’s 51st Independence Celebration’.

Lazarous Chisela, 47, of Royston, is the chairman of the Scotland Zambia Partnership (SCOZAP).

He told the Post: “The High Commissioner was so happy to come over to Clydebank. There is a very strong connection with the Zambians with Scotland and it dates all the way back to the time of the explorer David Livingston who was buried in Zambia.

“The event itself went very well, the best thing about it is we had so many groups of people there and more than 30 young people. There was discussion on how to integrate into Scottish culture and heritage and how to make it a fairer place for everyone. It was so interesting and the function after went very well.” When the Post spoke to Mr Chisela he was on his way to meet with the Zambian vice president Inonge Wina who was in London, who had specifically asked to talk about the event in Centre 81.

The theme of the day was ‘Zambia’s future lies in the hands of our children and young people living in Zambia and those living in Diaspora’. Diaspora refers to the scattered population living around the world.

At the event the Zambian national anthem was led by musician Chipo, before speeches kicked off by Mr Chisela, a recorded message from Martin Docherty, MP for West Dunbartonshire, councillor Kath Ryall and finally the high commissioner Mr Chikode.

There was a buffet, a presentation from youth groups, a tour of exhibition stands and group discussions delving into what issues matter to Zambian and Africans living in Scotland right now, and how they can play a part in shaping Zambia and Scotland.

A second discussion took place about how Zambians can be taken out of poverty both in the country and around the world, and how economic, health and social developments can be made.

Councillor Kath Ryall said: “It was really good to have an event like this in Whitecrook, in the community centre. In the past, things like this have been done in hotels and conference centres.

“It was such an honour to have the high commissioner here.” She added: “It was tremendously interesting to meet all the Zambian families who had come to the event. The celebration was tremendous in the sense that it brought the whole relationship of Scotland and Zambia into public view, and it is long, historic and very strong.”