The head of Sub-Saharan Africa and Sahel of Germany Ambassador Robert Dolger has presented Ambassador Anthony Mukwita with one of the most sentimental and prestigious gifts a diplomat can get—the mascot of the greater city of Berlin, the Bear.
Ambassador Dolger presented the gift to Ambassador Mukwita when he hosted him at the Federal Foreign Office in Berlin as the outgoing envoy of Zambia to Germany winds up business.
Ambassador Dolger described Zambia as “budding democracy” in Africa that must be emulated by many on the continent especially in the wake of democratic elections of August that saw a power shift from President Edgar Lungu to President Hakainde Hichilema.
Ambassador Mukwita told the Sub-Saharan Africa and Sahel Director that he was grateful for the hospitality and the greater economic diplomacy Germany provided during his tour of duty.
“I am humbled and grateful to you and your office,” said Ambassador Mukwita.
Ambassador Mukwita also appreciated “the Bear gift” that has deep meaning in Germany and is literally all over the great historic city in every shop and every mall, seen as important gift.
Berlin’s most fierce mascot (the bear in picture) dates right back to the very beginnings of the city’s history in the Middle Ages, when bears were still a fixture of northern German wildlife according to official records.
The Bear has its history intertwined to the “twin towns of Cölln and Berlin were founded on opposite banks of the River Spree in 1237 and 1244 by two grandsons of Albert the Bear, the first Margrave of Brandenburg.”
The earliest evidence of the bear as a symbol of Berlin is a heraldic seal from 1280, nearly two decades before the town was united with Cölln, marking the birth of the city known today as Berlin.
“The bear itself is so important to Berlin’s coat of arms, logo and mascot and no story can be told about Berlin without the Bear as can be seen all over the city.
It is also a seen or symbolises strength, as the Lion is seen in African countries like Zambia where it is known as the King of the Jungle.
Ambassador Mukwita also got a personal send off from the Minister of Foreign Affairs Mr Heiko Mass through Ambassador Dolger who has done tours in Africa and overseas 48 countries, he is very highly respected.
Zambia has enjoyed stellar relations with Germany since independence in 1964.
In 2019, the prestigious Diplomatic Magazin est. 1959 awarded Ambassador Mukwita the “Ambassador of the Year” award a year after he arrived in Berlin from Sweden.
Ambassador Mukwita asked Director Dolger to support his would be successor in the same warm and kind manner that he has been treated since 2017.
Recently the SADC group of Ambassadors in Berlin described Ambassador Mukwita as an invaluable member of the Corps in Berlin.
