Africa-Press – Eswatini. Zambia President Hakainde Hichilema left the country amid a colourful farewell led by His Majesty King Mswati III yesterday.
The King was at King Mswati III International Airport to see off the Zambia head of state.
The ceremonial send-off, befitting the status of a head of state, also cemented the successful talks and renewal of cordial and bilateral relations between the two countries.
His Majesty the King was joined by Prime Minister Cleopas Dlamini, Deputy Prime Minister Themba Masuku, Cabinet ministers, presiding officers, Emabandla and a number of members of the public who were all in a jubilant mood.
Regional administrators, Liqoqo Chairman Paul Dlamini and former prime minister Dr. AT Dlamini were also among the dignitaries present.
A culture troupe from the country’s security forces was also at its best, rendering performances, including indlamu, ingadla, ummiso and umgubho by Emajaha.
His Majesty also took time to explain to the president about the performances and the meaning of the songs and its significance.
The King also introduced dignitaries who had lined-up to say their goodbyes to the Zambian head of state.
The president visited Eswatini for the first time since assuming office in August last year.
His Majesty wished the president a safe trip, long life and also passed his warm wishes to the people of the Republic of Zambia.
While in the country, the two heads of state witnessed the signing of Memorandum of Understanding by Foreign Affairs and International Cooperations Minister Thuli Dladla and Zambia’s acting Foreign Affairs Minister and Minister of Tourism Rodney Sikumba.
The memoranda of understanding will see enhanced trade and investment opportunities between the two nations in a number of areas, such as agriculture, tourism, mining and energy. All these are aimed at bolstering social and economic development, with peace at the core.
Another highlight of the president’s visit was the state Banquet, hosted by His Majesty in his honour, where the King also presented a birthday cake to the president, whose visit coincided with his birthday.
It was a joyful moment for the president when he was joined by the guests, led by the King to sing him a birthday song, and also wished him a long life.
The president also paid a courtesy call on Her Majesty the Indovukazi at Ludzidzini Royal Residence after the tour. This is where the president was showered with gifts by Her Majesty, who also extended an invitation to the first lady.
Also forming part of the activities undertaken by the president was a tour to the Sidvokodvo Dairy Milk Project. The president, who also declared that he was a cattle farmer in his country, witnessed processing at the milk production and cattle raring farm.
The president also visited the Infra-Cast Plant at the Matsapha Industrial site, where he was blown away by the array of construction concrete materials produced by the factory.
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