A WELLINGTON environmentalist, novelist and business leader has received the highest honorific decoration from the Democratic Republic of Congo’s Queen Diambi Kabatusuila.

Chris Marrow has been made a Knight of the Order of the Leopard of the Bakwa Luntu of Kasai, the first European to be granted the accolade in recognition of his service to Africa and the African people.

Mr Marrow, who has written a book, The Hoe and the Gun, about his experiences in Mozambique, said: “It is an amazing honour to be awarded this title and took me by complete surprise.

"Queen Diambi will undertake my investiture when she is next able to travel to the UK, hopefully in July, travel restrictions permitting

“I have been working with Her Majesty, who is a traditional leader and works tirelessly for her people, travelling globally from a base in the United States.

“The Democratic Republic of Congo has suffered enormously from colonial interference and Queen Diambi wants to represent her country and people with a different kind of voice.

"Her Majesty is the Queen of the Bakwa Luntu, who are part of the Luba People of Kasai, and one of the largest ethnic groups in Africa.

“She is also Queen to the Bantu people of Brazil, who are descended from slaves transported from Africa.

“I have worked in Africa for many years, and, through the South West Business Council, we are preparing plans to clear away the obscene amount of plastic from the River Congo.

“We are also working to stop invasive species from entering the river from visiting ships and establishing electric ferries as a means of transport up and down the River Congo. The team being created is multinational, but plays to the strengths of businesses, colleges, and universities in the South West.”