Tennis fans in Zambia got an unexpected treat when Wimbledon champ Rafael Nadal turned up to do some sightseeing.

Rafael Nadal thrilled Spanish tourists at a five-star resort near Zambia’s iconic Victoria Falls, with the tennis-and-football fans breaking into cheers and mobbing for autographs as the two-time Wimbledon champion made a sightseeing swing prior to the football World Cup final in Johannesburg.

Local media reported that Nadal, who skipped Spain’s Davis Cup (losing) tie at the weekend in France, was surrounded by a happy group of his co-nationals at the Royal Livingston hotel, a five-star resort where suites go for $2700 per night.

Nadal took a trip to Livingstone on his way to Johannesburg for the final between Spain and the Netherlands at Soccer City.

Just like in post-match scenes, Nadal posed for photos with the masses, before making his excuses and hurrying off on a touristic jaunt. “I’m rushing for a helicopter flight,” said Nadal, who only decided at the last minute to fly 11 hours this week from Mallorca for the final after Spain qualified.

Local media said that Nadal took the sightseeing chopper ride and later visited the falls on foot before going on a boat cruise on the Africa Queen.

Finance Minister - Dr. Situmbeko Musokotwane

The Zambian government has handed over the 75 percent shares in Zamtel to the new owners Libya’s telecommunication firm Lap Green. This means that government now owns only 25 percent shares in the country’s telecommunication firm.

Speaking during the handover signing ceremony Finance and National Planning Minister, Situmbeko Musokotwane hoped the sale of the shares will save the firm from collapse.

Dr. Musokotwane says government’s aim is to see to it that Zamtel gets its place in the telecommunication business.

The Finance and National Planning Minister adds that the sale of seventy five percent shares in Zamtel is further aimed at pushing forward government’s agenda in developing the communication sector.

And LAP Greenn Managing Director, Abdulbaset Elazzabi disclosed that his firm will only retain the required work force. Dr. Elazzabi says the firm will carry out an evaluation exercise of all staff at Zamtel. He says Lap Greenn aims to put Zamtel on the same footing with other big telecommunication firms.

Present at the handover signing ceremony where National Union of Communication Workers officials who included union President, Patrick Kaonga. Mr. Kaonga said that his union is optimistic government will honor its pledge to provide land to the workers to be retrenched in the reorganization process of Zamtel.

He is also confident that Lap Green will look in to the workers’ welfare.
Lap Green has pledged to pump 257 Million US Dollars in to the embattled telecommunication company.

The Libyan firm has its presence in seven other African countries and has set aside over 117 Million US Dollars towards various employees’ benefits while 64 Million US Dollars will be injected into the operations of the firm.