Christopher Kayunga @chriskayunga7 - Twitter Profile

Stories That Bind Zambia and Angola When I arrived in Luanda a few weeks ago, I expected to find, and did find, a capital of great history — a city alive with reconstruction and the rhythm of a proud people. What I did not expect was to be met by so many stories that link Angola and Zambia in ways that go far beyond diplomacy. These are human stories, of war and refuge, of childhoods interrupted, and of strangers who became family. They are the stories of Angolans who fled the war and found themselves in Zambia, sometimes as children carried across rivers and forests, sometimes arriving with nothing but fear and exhaustion. In Zambia, they found more than safety. They found welcome. Some were taken in by Zambian families who offered them food, a bed, and love. Others grew up in the refugee camps of Meheba. And Mayukwayukwa. Places that became their first real homes. They learned KiKaonde, Tonga, Nyanja, Bemba and more. They went to Zambian primary schools. Then Secondary. And then university. Many went to Nkumbi. For many, Zambia was the only country they knew. Now, decades later, they have returned to Angola — adults rebuilding their nation, engineers, nurses, teachers, and parents. Yet they carry with them a deep memory of Zambian kindness. One man told me that when he was a small boy, he was taken to Chainama Hospital in Lusaka to visit a relative suffering from the trauma of war. “That,” he said, “was the first time I saw healing.” His words nearly brought me to tears. Among those I’ve met, one place name keeps surfacing, among many — Mtendere. For many Angolans who lived in Zambia during those difficult years, Mtendere — a densely populated compound in Lusaka — represents more than a location. In Nyanja, Mtendere means “peace.” It became home to many who had fled conflict, a place where they rebuilt their lives among Zambian neighbours who treated them like their own. Today, as I serve as Zambia’s Ambassador to Angola, I feel humbled by these stories. They remind me that our diplomacy began long before embassies and agreements. It began in homes, schools, markets, and hospital wards — in the acts of ordinary Zambians who opened their hearts to those in need. And how fitting that, in this same week, the Government of Angola honoured Dr. Kenneth Kaunda with the Commemorative Medal of the 50th Anniversary of National Independence, recognising him as a key figure in Angola’s liberation. Dr. Kaunda was the embodiment of Mtendere and Twapia, and Chiwempala, and his vision continues to echo in the lives of those who once found refuge on Zambian soil. To every Angolan who once found a home among us, know this: Zambia still remembers you, still loves you, and still walks with you. Between Mtendere and Luanda, the story of our two nations continues — one of friendship, resilience, and shared peace. Rev. Dr. Elias Munshya Ambassador of the Republic of Zambia to the Republic of Angola #Zambia #Angola #Mtendere #Refugees #Peace #KennethKaunda #MtendereMeansPeace #HumanStories #DiplomacyWithHeart #MunshyaDiplomaticDiary

eliasmunshya's tweet photo. Stories That Bind Zambia and Angola

When I arrived in Luanda a few weeks ago, I expected to find, and did find, a capital of great history — a city alive with reconstruction and the rhythm of a proud people. What I did not expect was to be met by so many stories that link Angola and Zambia in ways that go far beyond diplomacy.

These are human stories, of war and refuge, of childhoods interrupted, and of strangers who became family. They are the stories of Angolans who fled the war and found themselves in Zambia, sometimes as children carried across rivers and forests, sometimes arriving with nothing but fear and exhaustion.

In Zambia, they found more than safety. They found welcome.

Some were taken in by Zambian families who offered them food, a bed, and love. Others grew up in the refugee camps of Meheba. And Mayukwayukwa. Places that became their first real homes. They learned KiKaonde, Tonga, Nyanja, Bemba and more. They went to Zambian primary schools. Then Secondary. And then university. Many went to Nkumbi. For many, Zambia was the only country they knew.

Now, decades later, they have returned to Angola — adults rebuilding their nation, engineers, nurses, teachers, and parents. Yet they carry with them a deep memory of Zambian kindness. One man told me that when he was a small boy, he was taken to Chainama Hospital in Lusaka to visit a relative suffering from the trauma of war. “That,” he said, “was the first time I saw healing.” His words nearly brought me to tears.

Among those I’ve met, one place name keeps surfacing, among many — Mtendere.

For many Angolans who lived in Zambia during those difficult years, Mtendere — a densely populated compound in Lusaka — represents more than a location. In Nyanja, Mtendere means “peace.” It became home to many who had fled conflict, a place where they rebuilt their lives among Zambian neighbours who treated them like their own.

Today, as I serve as Zambia’s Ambassador to Angola, I feel humbled by these stories. They remind me that our diplomacy began long before embassies and agreements. It began in homes, schools, markets, and hospital wards — in the acts of ordinary Zambians who opened their hearts to those in need.

And how fitting that, in this same week, the Government of Angola honoured Dr. Kenneth Kaunda with the Commemorative Medal of the 50th Anniversary of National Independence, recognising him as a key figure in Angola’s liberation. Dr. Kaunda was the embodiment of Mtendere and Twapia, and Chiwempala, and his vision continues to echo in the lives of those who once found refuge on Zambian soil.

To every Angolan who once found a home among us, know this: Zambia still remembers you, still loves you, and still walks with you.

Between Mtendere and Luanda, the story of our two nations continues — one of friendship, resilience, and shared peace.

Rev. Dr. Elias Munshya
Ambassador of the Republic of Zambia to the Republic of Angola

#Zambia #Angola #Mtendere #Refugees #Peace #KennethKaunda #MtendereMeansPeace #HumanStories #DiplomacyWithHeart #MunshyaDiplomaticDiary

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Christopher Kayunga @chriskayunga7

7 months ago

@joseph_kalimbwe I think we’re missing something from the speech — the president’s key message was to emphasize peace and stability within the region, because instability in Tanzania would also mean instability in Zambia.

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