Steve Harvey is in love with Zambia – ZTA

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ZAMBIA Tourism Agency (ZTA) Chief Executive Officer Matongo Matamwandi has revealed that the next time that global entertainer Steve Harvey will visit this country, he won’t go just like that but will make investments.

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Speaking at Apple Bite Media’s Unwind and Connect Networking mixer on Saturday, the ZTA CEO said Steve was in love with Zambia and intends to invest in the country the next time he comes as the nation also plans to draw from his expertise, especially in content creation.

Matamwandi shared that immediately news went round that Harvey was in Zambia, his phone was like an alarm on snooze, it kept on ringing as different countries in the region such as Malawi, Bostwana, South Africa and Zimbabwe wanted a share of the spotlight.

“We never spent a penny bringing Steve Harvey to Zambia,” Matamwandi emphasized, dismissing any claims to the contrary.

The ZTA CEO told the audience that gathered at the Apple Bite event the opportunities in tourism which can be harnessed as he recounted the encounter that paved the way for Harvey’s visit.

While on a trip to London, Matamwandi met a gentleman who claimed to have deep connections with global celebrities.

“I am a marketer and a salesman,” he explained, “so I challenged him to prove his connection.”

True to his word, the individual contacted Steve Harvey, who was in Abu Dhabi at the time. Within days, Matamwandi rearranged his schedule and traveled with the gentleman to Dubai, where Harvey drove to meet them.

During hours of discussion, the groundwork was laid for Harvey’s visit to Zambia.

“When we finished, Steve Harvey picked up my phone and gave me his personal number,” Matamwandi revealed.

He went on to describe Harvey as a figure far beyond comedy: “Steve Harvey can buy some of our biggest companies for cash. He wants to do business and big things with Zambia.”

Highlighting the need to promote our local cuisine, Matamwandi shared that Harvey, who arrived in Zambia via his private plane, reportedly asked to enjoy a traditional Zambian dish refusing to eat anything foreign.

Matamwandi reiterated that Harvey’s next visit to Zambia would focus on serious business and investments.

Meanwhile, the ZTA CEO underscored the importance of tourism as a collective responsibility for all Zambians and made an assurance that before he lives the sector he would make sure that tourism is big than any other sector in Zambia.

“Tourism is the only sector where all of us as Zambians are part of it. You don’t need to apply for a job,” he said, encouraging citizens to actively contribute to shaping Zambia’s narrative on global platforms.

He pointed out the need for Zambians to project patriotism, referencing Nigerians as an example.

“When you meet Nigerians, they will never focus on what’s not working. They are patriotic. We need to adopt the same mindset,” he said.

“This whole Zambian thing when you are attending a conference, you have people from Nigeria, Canada on a tea break, five minutes tea break. In five minutes, [among] everything you know about Zambia, the first thing you will talk about is loadsheding… There is so much to talk about.”

Matamwandi further called on citizens to seize opportunities within the tourism sector, suggesting even simple initiatives like setting up camping sites on private land.

“People will pay $120 to stay in a tent with just a shovel and tissue. From that revenue, you can start building a lodge,” he stated.

“The future of tourism lies with all of us. It is going to surpass mining and manufacturing. Tourism will create jobs for Zambians.”

Matamwandi’s remarks come as Zambia continues to explore ways to leverage its rich natural heritage and cultural assets to drive economic growth.

By Moses Makwaya

Kalemba December 17, 2024

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