Maravi

Army chaplain extols Levy's nobility

Army chaplain extols Levy's nobility
By Mwala Kalaluka in Kabwe and Maluba Jere in Lusaka
Saturday August 30, 2008 [04:01]

ZAMBIA Army chaplain Lieutenant Colonel Moses Chirwa has observed that the late President Levy Mwanawasa derived his tenacity to fight corruption from the public criticism that followed him during his presidency. And President Mwanawasa's body yesterday arrived in Lusaka after the body viewing procession in eight of the country's nine provincial centres.

Delivering a homily during the body viewing procession for President Mwanawasa at Kabwe Civic Centre on Thursday, Lt Col Chirwa said it is a fact that the late President was the most criticised of all presidents Zambia has had.

"That gave him impetus to do a lot. Men of less quality would have crumbled and become ruthless, it was not so for him," Lt Col Chirwa told the crowd. "It is noble; it is important that he fought corruption with zero-tolerance. He fought with tenacity, but men of less quality would have given up and joined the bandwagon."

Lt Col Chirwa said the late President set the record and clearly defined the path for the nation and that it was saddening that people only appreciated his effectiveness at the time of his demise.

He said if the multitudes that had turned up to view President Mwanawasa's body in Kabwe had told him of the noble and right things he was doing for the country during the time he was still alive, he would have enhanced his excellent leadership performance.

"Blessed is the womb that gave birth to such a man," Lt Col Chirwa said. "It is excellent and pure to tell someone of their good qualities when they are still alive, not when he is dead."

Central Province MMD vice-chairman Jonathan Kapungwe said the ruling party in the area would greatly miss President Mwanawasa because of the fatherly role he played in resolving rifts within the party in the province. Kapungwe said despite his busy schedules, late President Mwanawasa had time to offer counsel to feuding MMD members in the province.

"The late President was a hero for us," he said. "Kabwe was a ghost town but today we are proud because it is economically viable. The MMD in this province will miss a great parent, a statesman and a father."
Provincial minister Ackimson Banda urged Zambians to be prayerful and united as they prepare for the days ahead without President Mwanawasa, whom he said was dedicated to the development of the province.

Chief Moono of Mumbwa said President Mwanawasa's death was a great loss.
"We have lost a man who had a vision for this country," chief Moono said.

Thousands of people turned up to pay their last respects to President Mwanawasa and the procession that went as far as 18:00 hours was somber and orderly.

The Kulamba Kubwalo Cultural Group from Chibombo gave President Mwanawasa a cultural send-off.
And the plane carrying the President's body touched down at Lusaka City Airport at about 09:48 hours yesterday.

First lady Maureen Mwanawasa accompanied by some government officials and relatives travelled to all the provincial towns in the country, with Kabwe being the last stop.

Vice-President Rupiah Banda with his wife, Chief Justice Ernest Sakala, defence personnel, Cabinet ministers, several government officials and some family members were at the airport to welcome the body.

As the President's casket left City Airport on the gun carrier for Mulungushi International Conference Centre where it lies in state, local government minister Sylvia Masebo collapsed.

Masebo was quickly taken to one of the offices at City Airport and later rushed to the hospital in a police vehicle.

President Mwanawasa's body was flown to Chipata, Kasama, Mansa, Ndola, Solwezi, Mongu, Livingstone and Kabwe to enable people in the country bid farewell to their leader.

And body viewing of the late Republican President would take place today and tomorrow for Lusaka residents.

On Tuesday, September 2, a valedictory ceremony will take place at the Supreme Court and the body will depart Mulungushi International Conference Centre for State House where it will lie in state.

On September 3, a church service will be held at the Parliament building after which burial will take place at Embassy Park in Lusaka.

About 11 heads of state are expected in the country to attend the burial. Countries that have confirmed their coming are South Africa, Zimbabwe, Kenya, Mozambique, Malawi, Rwanda, Botswana, Nigeria, Democratic Republic of Congo, Madgascar, Lesotho and Chad. Other countries like Isreal are expected to send their representatives.

Labels: ARMED FORCES, MWANAWASA

posted by MrK @ 4:24 PM