Was the Japan trip worth it?
…‘it could be another waste of tax-payer money’
09.02.25
It has been almost a week since President Hichilema left Zambia on a very expensive trip to Japan but as citizens, we have barely seen any significant economic announcement coming out of the trip.
As Citizens First President, I am beginning to wonder whether this trip was economically important or just another waste of ‘taxpayers’ money when starving Zambians need the resources the most.
For those that do not know, this latest trip by Mr Hichilema is described in diplomacy language as an “Official Working Visit” and NOT a “State Visit” and the difference is simple.
This is also made clear on the government website of Japan.
With the visit Mr Hichilema undertook with his huge expensive entourage, Zambian tax payers money is used to fund his stay and luxury living along with his friends that included at least three cabinet ministers and dozens of handlers.
If this were a “State Visit” normally organised by the hosting country six months ahead, the Prime Minister, head of government or head of state would meet him over a period of at least three days and typically foot his bill and that of his friends.
A State Visit, which this one was not’ would have attracted a 21 gun salute, a red carpet, a banquet, exchange of gifts and a number of binding MoU’s would be signed.
Mr Hichilema would have also been accommodated at the Presidential palace or the equivalent unlike this working visit, all things being equal.
Mr Hichilema, if he was genuine and financially prudent, would have sent a cabinet minister and a few business brokers to meet with Toyota or some such, he did not have to attend this meeting.
PRESIDENT HICHILEMA MEETING WITH JAPAN PM ISHIBA SHIGERU
It is a shame that after spending so much money and skipping an important SADC meeting of heads of states in neighbouring Zimbabwe to resolve the raging conflict in the Congo, President Hichilema was given ‘an only 40 minute meeting mostly for photos with the Japanese Prime Minister Mr. Ishiba Shigeru’ according to a Cabinet Public Affairs Office of Japan memo.
“On 6 February commencing at 2.02 pm for approximately 40 minutes Mr Ishiba Shigeru Prime Minister of Japan held
A Summit Meeting with H.E Hakainde Hichilema, President of the Republic of Zambia who was on ‘ his’ Official Working Visit to Japan,” read the official Cabinet statement.
In my view just does not cut it compared to the money spent on the trip… was it worth it given our high poverty levels, 40 minutes of pictures and a handshake?
I must hasten to say that it is commendable that Mr Hichilema’s team according to the Japan Cabinet memo, Japan committed to ‘ deepen bilateral relations’ with Zambia, enhance regional and international relations etc according to a ‘ Fact Sheet’ Japan has posted on its FA ministry website, Cabinet Public Affairs Office of the government of Japan.
It’s also commendable that at the very last minute, Mr Hichilema was granted a meeting with the revered Emperor of Japan His Majesty Naruhito.
My observation is that this was one of the ‘ worst and wasteful diplomatic’ trips ever undertaken by President Hichilema with a super global economic giant in his four years.
Next time Mr President you must send Mr Mulambo Haimbe or Mr Situmbeko Musokotwane to represent you, it’s a shame to spend taxpayers money for a 40 minute photo op in our view as Citizens First.
I was a Minister of Foreign Affairs of Zambia for a long time, I must know the difference and importance between an “Official Working Visit” and “State Visit.”
Mr HH should have stayed home and attended the SADC heads of states meeting to resolve the conflict in the Congo and solved the poverty problems of Zambians instead of taking train rides with Jito.
Harry Kalaba
President
Citizens First.
Even Mr kalaba’s wife doesn’t believe in him
None of his foreign trips outside Africa have been worth it.
Captain Ibrahim Traore never does foreign trips outside Africa. Yet investors are tripping over themselves to invest in his country. This is what happens when the leader is very good. He does not need to advertise himself telling lies ati I am the chief marketing officer blah blah blah. These are the type of leaders we need all across Africa. How I wish he did not get into office via a coup because I do not support such. I do wholeheartedly support what he is doing for his country though.
God bless the Captain.
Let us reject tribalism, corruption, and oppression.
Vote like they do in Southern province.
Vote wisely in 2026.
I smell jealousy here. Kalaba is on record for taking diplomatic trips even after parliament was dissolved. That level of greed, that level of missing the trips with US dollar allowances is what is speaking here, not a sincere desire to better the lives of Zambians.
The fruits of such trips take time to appear. PF buffoons would go on trips to Saudi Arabia, tell citizens to raise goats for export. Up to now the goats are waiting. So before you open yowa mouth full of jealousy, consider what benefit you delivered to the ordinary Zambian who lives in Mutendere East. If you only benefited yowaself, best to just shut up and wait for Toyota to set up assembly or manufacturing plants, roads that you lied that you completed will be completed, support to other vital ministries will be delivered.
The man is short even his brains are short
Ba Kalaba tekeni amatako panshi imwe. As your name implies mwalaba ukutila Rome was not built in a day.
How ironic it is ? That KALABA ,the Man who vehemently supported and defended Edgar Lungu, after Lungu begun to travel,umungulu mungulu, immediately after winning his first election..KALABA, is on record, saying Lungu needed to travel,as to meet , interact and get acquainted with his fellow Leaders, both regional & overseas governments
Today, you want to even teach us with your little knowledge of protocols?
Maybe,we school you also,
The fanfare of recieving dignitaries with pomp ! Is only obtained in Africa,
Civilized World,it’s done, with subdued pomp,, Especially with the Japanese
And incase, you know little about Japan ? In Japan government, only the Prime minister & Foreign secretary, are driven to work, because of the nature of their Work, the rest of ministers all commute to work,, Japanese people, as hardworking as they are , they are not wasteful as African leaders,,
The VX are made in Japan, none of their ministers drive them as official vehicles,
So, it’s not about 21 gun salute,that makes, an official visit?
Was HH not received by Japanese government officials? The answer is Yes, he was officially met & received by that Country’s government officials
So what is the problem? With you, Ba KALABA,?
And it seems, in your party CF, there are no structures? Because you have become the only Face ,of your party, Every comment , every statement,it’s all done by You,, No wonder you look so un Presidential , because you stoop so low, as to comment on everything,
I for one, I’ve never heard, your SG, or your VP, even your spokesman, issue your party statement or communiqué
Everything is done by, you.
Start delegating so that we begin to know & evaluate,the calibre of your top leadership,,so that when we elect you as President, in 2046 elections,,we will have known your cabinet well
What’s your hurry ba Mudala? The president has not completed the visit and your already condemning the visit. Please be patient
Kalaba is known for his extraordinary pomposity and pride especially after getting those useless honorary doctorates and awards. He talks as if he has never been a foreign affairs Minister before. If he remembers how he travelled, he travelled to USA, SA Capetown, Nairobi, Kenya and Kampala, Uganda. So if we can ask him the same question, were all those trips worth it? What did Zambians benefit from them compared to what they have benefited from HH’s Japan trip? Even if you combine them, they are not even a quarter of HH’s Japan trip. HH travels for the benefit of all Zambians while you Kalaba travels for the benefit of your stomach. HH charmed and impressed the Japanese leaders and people, they were even asking him, you man, where were you all this time? Had you come early, Zambia could have been very far by now. Investors are coming in numbers and many Zambians will have jobs and improve their lives. But it’s not too late, we are moving forward and by 2031, we hope to see a much improved middle income state. So Mr. Kalaba, just swallow your pride and shake off your pomposity, HH is not and cannot be your match, your are very far below him. And always remember that regardless of what your false prophet Bushiri had assured you, you will never be the president of this country. Besides that all the heaps of your awards and honors don’t bring you anywhere near the presidency, you can just keep them as decorations in your home or office.
I think we need a constitution review to get rid of these noise maker one parties that contribute nothing to the political discourse of the nation. Just seeing the excitement from winning the Petauke election one would think they did quite a remarkable job. But really winning on the back of fake news, distortions, tribalism and blatant lies spells a worrying scenario of lawlessness. We need laws to put these in their rightful place.
Kalaba, where were you when Lungu took thugs, musicians to the US on the tax payer’s money for leisure? You think we have forgotten. Try to be rational with your face that does not need a musk in a horror movie. Let HH do his work please. You had your time and we all know you were just there for your stomachs unlike HH who does it for the people. Let me quick to let you know that you are not a presidential material. Just concentrate on your tiny structureless bedroom party whatever you call it.
I hope mr kalaba is reading the feedback