Tributes Flow as Dr. Munshya Ends Tenure in Australia
By Cascious Mumba, Bakwetu TV
Tributes poured in after the announcement that His Excellency Rev. Dr. Elias Munshya was concluding his tour of duty as Zambia’s High Commissioner to Australia and New Zealand. Messages from Zambians and Australians alike expressed warmth, gratitude and quiet admiration.
For more than three years, Munshya led Zambia’s mission in Canberra with a sense of purpose and humility that left a lasting mark on colleagues and the entire community.
His arrival in 2022 came at a time of global change that called for fresh approaches to diplomacy, innovation in trade and a renewed emphasis on community connection. He embraced the challenge with conviction, seeing his assignment not just as a posting abroad but as an opportunity to embody Zambia’s values.
Under his leadership, Zambia’s engagement with Australia grew stronger. The Australia–Zambia Business Council, once dormant, was revitalised and relaunched as a bridge linking Australian investors with Zambian entrepreneurs.
Through coordinated missions in agriculture, mining and industry, more than 50 Australian companies traveled to Zambia to explore partnerships. One business leader said Munshya “carried Zambia’s story into boardrooms and universities, inspiring confidence and respect for our nation.”
The tributes emphasised not only economic achievements but also cultural diplomacy. During Munshya’s tenure, national-day receptions and multicultural festivals celebrated Zambian identity. The rhythms of Kalindula and Manchancha filled the air as children in chitenge danced before international audiences.
The word most often used to describe him was “accessible.” Many recalled a high commissioner who listened, opened his doors and blurred the distance between chancery and community.
“He was always available, a diplomat who spoke with us, laughed with us and prayed with us,” one message read. Another called him “a leader who never forgot where he came from.”
That sense of origin was central to his service. Munshya often reminded others that he came from Chiwempala, a mining township in Chingola, and from Milenge, his ancestral homeland. He carried both places in his heart even while engaging in high-level diplomacy in Australia’s capital.
On one occasion, he led a mining delegation from Australia to Zambia’s Copperbelt, visiting the same mines where his grandfather, Pompolyongo, had worked in the 1970s. Returning there as Zambia’s representative was, for him, a moment of reflection and gratitude.
His empathy reached beyond economics and ceremony. Community members recalled the High Commission’s presence during moments of loss, including the deaths of a young girl in Perth and a fellow African diplomat in Canberra.
“He reminded us that leadership is not about position but presence,” one tribute read.
Many messages also recognised the role of his family, whose hospitality made the chancery feel like a second home for Zambians abroad. “His family served beside him with humility and warmth — they were part of his diplomacy,” a community leader said.
As his tour ended, Munshya’s departure was met with appreciation and confidence in continuity. The mission remains under Deputy High Commissioner Annah Lupenga, who has been appointed acting high commissioner (chargé d’affaires) until his successor arrives.
The tributes shared a common theme, gratitude mixed with optimism. “We wish you continued success as you carry forward the Zambian flag,” one contributor wrote. “Always hold your head high, you are destined for greater service,” said another.
“He may be leaving Canberra,” one message concluded, “but his spirit of service will remain here for a very long time.”
In many ways, that is the measure of his legacy. His diplomacy was built on empathy, rooted in culture and grounded in a deep connection to home.
From Chiwempala to Canberra, and from Milenge to Melbourne, he carried Zambia’s heart across oceans. As he transitions to his next diplomatic assignment, the bridges he built between peoples, nations and generations, will continue to stand.