Zambia High Commission London

CONGRATULATIONS:
Mr Alexander Nishan De Cruze, Chauffeur to the High Commissioner of the Republic of Zambia to the United Kingdom, was this evening among diplomatic staff honoured with the Embassy’s Certificate of High Commendation for his long and dedicated service within the London Diplomatic Community.

The recognition was conferred during the Long Service Officer of the Year for Africa 2026 Awards and Commendations ceremony, presented by Embassy Network, London, and held at the Royal Garden Hotel in Kensington.

Mr De Cruze has served as Chauffeur at the Zambia High Commission for an exceptional 30 years, demonstrating unwavering professionalism and commitment.

Over the course of his distinguished career, he has served under six of Zambia’s seven Republican Presidents and, with the appointment of Her Excellency Ms Macenje Mazoka, is now serving under his tenth High Commissioner—reflecting both his deep institutional knowledge and enduring contribution to the Mission.

Speaking on the occasion, the High Commissioner, Her Excellency Ms Macenje Mazoka, commended Mr De Cruze’s service:

“Mr De Cruze’s depth of knowledge, professionalism, and institutional memory have been invaluable to the Mission. His dedication over three decades, coupled with his strong sense of camaraderie and collegial spirit, has made him not only a trusted member of staff but also a respected figure among colleagues across the diplomatic community.”

The African diplomatic community in London yesterday evening concluded Africa Week 2026 with a gala dinner held at the Novotel Hotel in Hammersmith.

The event, commemorating Africa Day, featured speeches, a fashion showcase, and exhibitions of African goods.

The Dean of the African Diplomatic Corps and Ambassador of Zimbabwe to the United Kingdom, Ambassador Colonel Christian Katsande, delivered keynote remarks centred on the continental theme: “Assuring Sustainable Water Availability and Safe Sanitation Systems to Achieve the Goals of Agenda 2063.”

In her capacity as Chair of the African Union Heads of Mission Economic Committee, Her Excellency Ms Macenje Mazoka, High Commissioner of the Republic of Zambia to the United Kingdom, was among the senior diplomats in attendance.

Also present were Her Excellency Sara Amani, Ambassador of Côte d’Ivoire and Chair of the AU Heads of Mission Social Committee, and Her Excellency Genevieve Kennedy, Ambassador of Liberia, who serves as Treasurer of the AU Heads of Mission.

In his address, Ambassador Katsande underscored that water scarcity and inadequate sanitation continue to undermine development, dignity, and economic progress across the continent, challenges further exacerbated by intensifying droughts and floods.

He noted that shared rivers and aquifers demonstrate that water transcends national borders, calling for greater solidarity in collective responses. He also highlighted Africa’s ongoing peace efforts through mediation, both within the continent and in the broader international community.

Ambassador Katsande urged countries to treat this year’s theme as a shared continental responsibility and to act with vision, solidarity, and determination by placing water and sanitation at the centre of development policy.

He further called on nations to invest boldly in resilient infrastructure and innovation, deepen transboundary cooperation, prioritise inclusion, and mobilise the diaspora to strengthen global partnerships, including cooperation frameworks with the United Kingdom.

He encouraged African diplomats to renew their commitment to unity, integration, and sustainable development, and to translate vision into tangible progress.

“If we act with common purpose and unwavering resolve, we shall unlock the full promise of our continent and build an Africa anchored in dignity, resilience, prosperity, and hope. The future of Africa is in our hands. Long live Africa, long live the enduring spirit of African unity and solidarity. Long live Africa and her partnership with the United Kingdom,” Ambassador Katsande stated.

He also expressed appreciation to fellow diplomats for their support of Zimbabwe’s endorsement as the sole African candidate for a non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council for the 2027–2028 term.

Mazoka, 4 other diplomats recognised for their efforts
advancing Africa

H.E. Macenje Mazoka, High Commissioner of Zambia to the United Kingdom, was among 5 diplomats honoured yesterday evening at the Africa Business Awards and Gala Dinner 2026 for their diplomatic efforts in advancing the cause of Africa.

Other diplomats who received the African Diplomat of the Year Excellence Award at the event—which celebrates excellence, innovation, leadership, and global impact across African business and entrepreneurship—included Rwanda’s High Commissioner, H.E. Johnston Busingye; Zimbabwe’s H.E. Colonel Christian M. Katsande; Ethiopia’s H.E. Biruk Mekonnen; and South Africa’s Deputy High Commissioner, Ms. Dineo Mathlako.

Several business leaders and entrepreneurs were also recognised across a range of categories, including: AfBC Top 100 Business Leader of the Year; Entrepreneur of the Year; Start-Up and SME Business of the Year; Technology and Innovation Excellence; Healthcare Business Excellence; Creative, Media and Entertainment Industry Excellence; Financial Services Excellence; Professional Excellence; African Women in Business (WIB) Excellence; International Trade Excellence; Ubuntu Social Enterprise Excellence; Global Diaspora Excellence; International Business Excellence; Impact Investing, Sustainability and ESG Excellence; and Corporate Business of the Year.

The awards provide a distinguished platform, bringing together over 300 industry leaders, government officials, key stakeholders, professionals, and members of the diaspora from across the UK, Africa, and beyond to celebrate Africa Day 2026.

H.E. Mazoka dedicated the award to President Hakainde Hichilema, commending his leadership and the government’s efforts in policy formulation and implementation, creating a more conducive environment for investment, and strengthening partnerships.

She also acknowledged her team at the Zambia High Commission and the Zambian diaspora.

She encouraged businesses and investors to explore opportunities in Zambia, particularly in agriculture, tourism, and mining.

H.E. Mazoka further described the diaspora as a vital bridge for development, noting their experience and knowledge, and urged them to consider investing back home.

She added that African diplomats in the UK share a collective agenda to ensure that the continent is visible, heard, and strategically positioned on the global stage.

The annual event is hosted by the Africa Business Chamber (AfBC) who's mission is to strengthen Africa’s private sector by enabling competitive enterprises, mobilising investment, and expanding global trade.

AfBC continues to play a pivotal role in fostering trade, investment, and strategic partnerships between Africa and the United Kingdom, while championing African enterprise and diaspora engagement.

Flashback: H.E. Macenje Mazoka, High Commissioner of Zambia to the United Kingdom, shares a photo moment with Speaker of the House of Commons, the Rt Hon Lindsay Hoyle, MP, during the the State Opening of Parliament Grand Reception on 13th May.

The Commonwealth Youth Photography Competition 2026 closes for entries on 8 June 2026

With two weeks until its closing date, the Commonwealth Youth Photography Competition 2026: Waves of Change is calling on young people aged 18 to 30 who are Commonwealth nationals or residents to submit their entry before 8 June (World Oceans Day).

The competition asks young photographers to document the ocean, rivers, lakes, coastlines, and waterways, and their relationship to communities, environments, and the future.

It is free to enter, requires no prior photography experience, and asks only for one original photograph and a written statement of up to 300 words.

The overall winner will receive £1,000, with £250 awarded to each of the three remaining category winners.

Entries are accepted across four categories: Human-Ocean Connection, Hope and Resilience, Threats and Challenges, and Innovative Solutions. These categories reflect the full spectrum of what it means to live alongside the ocean in 2026.

The competition is run by the Royal Commonwealth Society, in partnership with the Commonwealth Secretariat, and the City of London Corporation's Youth Natural Environment Board.

Winners will be celebrated across Commonwealth institutional networks reaching audiences across 56 nations and 2.7 billion people.

With the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games on the horizon and ocean health at the forefront of the global environmental agenda, Waves of Change represents a timely opportunity to hear from the young people on the frontlines of a changing world in their own words, and through their own lens.

Entries close at 23:59 BST on 8 June 2026. The competition is free to enter at www.royalcwsociety.org/environment/cypc

ZAMBIA’S High Commissioner to the UK, Macenje Mazoka, on Saturday, 23 May, took part in a diplomatic roundtable titled “Rupture and Realignment: Africa in a Fragmenting World Order” at The Union in Cambridge.

Featuring alongside Kenya’s High Commissioner to the UK, H.E. Maurice Makoloo, and Public Affairs Africa Chief Executive Officer Adebissi Djogan, H.E. Mazoka highlighted the need for collective action to address challenges facing the continent, noting that Africa already possesses both the solutions and a wealth of brilliant young minds.

The High Commissioner observed that the current global rupture presents an opportunity for African countries to remain focused and to engage collectively on emerging global challenges.

She said: “Hitting the giant with one finger does not work; hitting the giant with two fingers does not work. When we bring together three, four, and ultimately five fingers—forming a fist—we have a far greater chance of making an impact and pushing an agenda, as a collective.”

On the rules-based world order and how Zambia has sought to make it work for the nation, H.E. Mazoka noted that Zambia has drawn key lessons from its debt restructuring process under the Common Framework, which it is willing to share with others.

“We embrace multilateralism and rules-based organisations and order, but it is about how we engage. Yes, we may be fractured, but moving forward presents an opportunity for all of us to recognise that we must sit at the table. We must ensure that our collective African voice is part of the established rules; oftentimes, we are not part of the rule-making process,” H.E. Mazoka said.

“We need to action the regional agreements and continental frameworks, as we do have plans and strategies. The AU has Agenda 2063; collectively, we have conclusions and decisions, but how are we executing them? How do we take them forward? How can we pivot effectively and efficiently to help move the system along? We do not object to a rules-based order.”

Meanwhile, the High Commissioner emphasised that global disruptions should not divide Africans, as the future will reward those who are clear about their interests and strategic direction.

“Post-Western collapse—I think it is possible. Are we ready? Maybe. Some countries may be more prepared than others. Are we ready as a continent? Perhaps. Some regions are more prepared than others, but as long as that conversation is happening and we are thinking about it, we can avoid greater challenges.”

On turning criticism into an opportunity for deeper engagement, H.E. Mazoka urged that critical issues be openly tabled rather than concealed.

She also encouraged African countries to actively communicate their successes and shape their own narratives globally.

“Let us not neglect the image we want to present about ourselves, because there are many positive stories. Our responsibility is to ensure that we share them with the world,” H.E. Mazoka stated.

H.E. Makoloo added that the rules-based order must be revisited to ensure greater representation, fairness, and equity.