Livingstone gives Sata a thonderous welcome…confers with GBM

President Michael Sata with Defence Minister Geoffrey Mwamba on arrival at Harry Mwaanga Nkumbula International Airport for the opening of the UNWTO 20th General Assembly in Livingstone. Looking on are Home Affairs Minister Edgar Lungu, Vice-President and his Spouse -Picture by Thomas Nsama

President Michael Sata has arrived in Livingstone to a thunderous welcome from dozens of his PF supporters who welcomed him for the United Nations World Tourism Organisation General Assembly (UNWTO) official opening  Zimbabwe’s Victoria Falls Town Sunday evening.

Sata who is rarely seen in public was given a thunderous welcome as dozens thronged Harry Mwaanga Nkumbula International Airport Sunday morning, August 25, 2013. He arrived at 10am local time aboard Presidential Plane in the company of his Wife, Dr. Kaseba, Secretary to the Treasury, Fredson Yamba, and his Spokesperson, George Chellah.

Upon alighting from the plane President Sata flashed the PF symbol, a fist to dozens of people that welcomed him.

A high powered delegation of senior government and party officials were at the Airport with the man of the moment Defence Minister Geoffrey Mwamba almost stealing the limelight as he shook hands and exchanged a few words with the Head of State. Mwamba commonly known as GBM has launched a campaign to endorse Sata as the PF sole candidate for 2016 polls.

President Sata in a brief address to dozens of people who welcomed him said the tourist city is yet to see more development. He said the refurbishing of Harry Mwaanga Nkumbula Airport and Livingstone city was just the beginning.

The Head of State said it was all upto the people of Livingstone to give his PF Administration the support so that it can develop the city and the province as a whole.

Provincial Minister Daniel Munkombwe explained the benefits to Livingstone city of hosting the biggest World Tourism event – UNWTO.

Tourism and Arts Minister Sylvia Masebo told President Sata that the people of Southern Province were grateful to his government for making Livingstone, the tourism capital after shifting the provincial Headquarters to Choma.

While Area Member of Parliament Lawrence Evans said the development that has taken place in Livingstone shall not only be felt during the conference but for a long time to come.

The official opening of UNWTO starts 6pm local time in Victoria Falls the town just after the boarder with Zambia.