Zitto Kabwe and Mrs. Anke Pöksen
ON Friday 21st June 2013 I visited the Government of Lower Saxony in Hannover for a discussion about deepening the partnership between Tanzania and Lower Saxony. The discussion was led by the Government Spokesperson Mrs. Anke Pöksen (photo) in the presence of the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Environment, the head of International Office and the Chief of Protocol.
It was principally agreed that the bilateral cooperation be built in the period between 2013 to 2015 as a climax of the partnership whereby partnership agreement will be signed in Tanzania. The year 2013 marks the 100 years since MV Liemba was built in the city of Papenburg, and 2015 marks the 100 years since MV Liemba was put on Lake Tanganyika in Kigoma.
During this period from 2013 to 2015 the partnership between Tanzania and Lower Saxony will be formalized, several activities carried out and finally a German delegation will travel to Tanzania.
It was emphasized that, In order to create best synergies and links the partnership should first seek to establish a continuation of the rehabilitation of the MV Liemba, support business investments and softer diplomacy like cultural activities and cities cooperation. Tanzania will have to appoint 3 football clubs to be brought into partnership with 3 clubs in Bundesliga from Lower Saxony – VfL Wolfsburg, Hannover 96 and Braunschweig. Proposed city cooperation are for Mtwara with Wilhamshafen, Mbeya with Hannover and Kigoma with Papenburg.