When Dr Elias Munshya reflects on his three years as Zambia’s High Commissioner to Australia and New Zealand, one moment stands out above all others.
In a Sydney classroom, he watched as children painted the Zambian flag, asking him about the bird on its crest and the bold colours of green, red, orange and black. For Munshya, sitting with those children and telling them the story of his homeland was the highlight of his tenure.
“As long as we plant these seeds with the younger generation, they will learn, and one day, perhaps, get on a plane to visit their neighbour, Zambia,” Dr Munshya said.
That simple image of painted flags and eager questions captures the essence of Munshya’s diplomacy: energetic, personal, and determined to make Zambia visible on the global stage.
Since arriving in Canberra in 2022, he has helped orchestrate three business delegations to Zambia, connecting Australian companies with opportunities in mining and agriculture.
Among the outcomes were Australian firms negotiating technology supply to Zambian mines, a memorandum of understanding with Zambia’s Ministry of Agriculture to strengthen seed production, and several exploration projects now underway. “Some of the results will only be seen in the future,” he explained. “But the doors are now open.”
His time in office also delivered important political milestones. The Speaker of Australia’s National Assembly became the highest-ranking Australian politician to visit Zambia in decades, a breakthrough Munshya describes as a “huge achievement.”
He also oversaw the revitalisation of the Australia–Zambia Business Council, which has since hosted a series of high-level forums designed to build lasting ties between the two nations.
But his work extended far beyond politics and boardrooms. Munshya championed Zambia’s cultural diplomacy, helping to showcase the country’s music, food and traditions to “ordinary Australians.”
He launched the inaugural Zambia–Australia and New Zealand Conference for the diaspora, creating space for Zambians abroad to gather, share and connect. “Diplomacy is not only about politics. It is about culture, about showing who we are,” he said.
Central to his mission was the Zambian community in Australia and New Zealand, which he described as “mature and engaged.” He was candid in acknowledging the challenges of diaspora engagement but stressed that his approach was always open and inclusive.
“I enjoyed interacting with them a lot,” he said. “We were open enough to reach out, and that will remain important for the future.”
Asked how he hopes to be remembered, Munshya did not hesitate. “It would be a legacy of energy, bringing attention to and amplifying the story of Zambia here in Australia.”
With characteristic humility, he noted that he “stood on the shoulders of giants” who had served before him, but he sees his role as injecting fresh momentum and visibility into Zambia’s story.
As he prepares to depart, Munshya says he will miss the people most, both the Zambian community and the Australians who embraced him. He also confesses he will miss his long runs through the streets of Melbourne, Perth and Sydney, a personal ritual that grounded him during his posting.
He is expected to take on a new role in Africa. For now, Dr Elias Munshya departs with gratitude and a legacy defined by energy, connection and possibility, bridging continents while planting seeds of friendship that will continue to grow.
