For years, it has become clear that the UN-Tourism Secretary-General’s biggest fear is explaining his fraud and manipulation. Therefore, he blocked access to non-compliant media, such as eTurboNews, Spain-based “The Presidente, ” and The Objective. Last week in Livingstone, Zambia, he went a step further.
An eTN source observed that Zurab instructed his staff to campaign for him in Zambia against regulations so that he could secure an unusual third term as UN-Tourism Secretary General.
2nd Tourism Africa- Americas Summit 8-10 April, 2025
Only after Mexico intervened, followed by the host, Zambia’s minister of tourism, Rodney Malindi Sikumba, was Guevara tolerated inside the venue.
Paraneud, to face the music, by a competing candidate at an event, UN-Tourism Secretary General Zurab Pololikashvil intended to use his position to block competing candidate Gloria Guevara from Mexico from attending this event.
Livingston is the venue where the best season for UNWTO started in August 2024, when Zimbabwe and Zambia co-hosted the UNWTO Secretary-General election, Dr. Taleb Rifai, for a legendary period of the organization.
A smiling Hon. Sikumba and a still shocked Gloria Guevara traveled to Zambia on her dime and had fruitful discussions. She shook hands with him at the UN event and praised the Zambian minister as a visionary for African tourism and a person who values fairness over manipulation.
Thanks to the Hon. Sikumba, Guevara had a chance to meet other ministers and voice her concern about UN-Tourism.
Muhammad Adam, the candidate from Ghana, experienced a similar discrimination caused by Zurab in Zambia.
Guevara posted on her LinkedIn: “It was a pleasure seeing again HE Musanga didier M’PAMBIA, Minister of Tourism, Democratic Republic of Congo, to share more details of my candidacy.
I coincide with his vision of the importance of the traveler journey and assessing each touchpoint to guarantee satisfaction and repeat visits for domestic and international travelers.
I really value his recommendations and the opportunity to discuss and expand on my candidacy. We committed to continuing to work together to grow his country’s tourism.
Gloria Guevara told eTurboNews that the summit in Zambia was impressive and a great success, mainly due to the work done by the host country.”
Rodney Malindi Sikumba, Zambia Minister of Tourism and Host
Rodney Malindi Sikumba is Minister Of Tourism and Member of Parliament for Livingstone Central Constituency (under the United Party for National Development).
Rodney Sikumba has a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Zambia and a Master’s in Business Administration – Strategy and International Business from Hult International Business School (USA).
Sikumba is also trained in Diplomatic Practice Protocol and Public Relations from the Zambia Institute of Diplomacy and International Studies.
Career After graduating from the University of Zambia, he joined Professional Insurance Corporation Zambia Plc, as a graduate trainee. In 2006, Sikumba joined Celtel Zambia Plc (now Airtel) as a Corporate Sales Executive. After completing his master’s degree in the United States, Sikumba returned to Zambia and was appointed Head of Customer Experience for Airtel Zambia.
In 2014, he was headhunted to lead Zamtel’s Enterprise Department. He successfully managed a portfolio valued at US$ 22 million. In 2017, Sikumba established the Hult Investments Group of Companies (HIGC), whose portfolio includes: Hult Ice, Hult Apartments, Hult Travel & Tours Limited (HTTL), and Hult Commodities.
Politics Sikumba joined UPND in 2001, the same year his father was earmarked to stand as the party’s first MP in Livingstone. In 2021, he stood for election as a UPND candidate for the first time and won.