Maravi

Zambians mourn Levy

Zambians mourn Levy
By Staff Reporters
Wednesday August 20, 2008 [04:00]

Zambians from all walks of life yesterday mourned the death of President Levy Mwanawasa. Vice-President Rupiah Banda announced the demise of President Mwanawasa, who died at 10:30 hours in Paris. And Patriotic Front president Michael Sata described President Mwanawasa's death as the most devastating national crisis Zambia has ever faced. Meanwhile, Women for Change executive director Emily Sikazwe said the demise of President Mwanawasa was a great loss to Zambia.

In a national address on Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation television yesterday, Vice-President Banda called for calm as people mourn President Mwanawasa.
"I also wish to inform the nation that national mourning and state funeral begins today 19th of August, 2008 and will be for seven days," Vice-President Banda said.

He appealed to all the citizens to remain calm and mourn President Mwanawasa in dignity.

President Mwanawasa suffered a stroke on June 29, 2008 on the eve of the African Union (AU) heads of state summit in Sharm-el-Sheik, Egypt. He was immediately admitted to Sharm-el-Sheik hospital until July 1, when he was evacuated to Percy Military Hospital in Paris, France where he had been admitted until his death.

And Sata said the nation needed to remain united during this trying time.
"This is more devastating to my colleague Rupiah Banda and the entire government. I hope our colleagues in government will be brave and less provocative for us to mourn our President in a very honest manner," said Sata. "I'm very devastated that a number of things which we could have discussed, he has gone with them."

Sata conveyed heartfelt condolences to Vice-President Banda and the first family. He said this when Italian Ambassador to Zambia Giovanni Ceruti paid a courtesy call on him at the PF secretariat.

Meanwhile, Emily Sikazwe said her organisation stood with the first family during this period of mourning. She called on Zambians to remain calm as the country mourned President Mwanawasa.

"As women, we understand how the first family feels about this untimely death. A dark cloud has fallen upon Zambia but we need to stand together as One Zambia One Nation, we mourn the President," said Sikazwe.

Former president Frederick Chiluba urged the MMD and government to show maturity during this time. Chiluba said President Mwanawasa's death was a big and sad loss to the nation. He said for those who loved President Mwanawasa, this was not the time to make it difficult for the MMD to function.

Chiluba sent his condolences to Vice-President Banda. He also requested Vice-President Banda to send his condolences to first lady Maureen, the government, the MMD and the Zambian people over the death of President Mwanawasa.
He urged the nation to remain peaceful as it has always been known to be and stay calm during this difficult period.

"It should be known that Dr Chiluba and President Mwanawasa have had a long standing relationship," Chiluba said. "President Mwanawasa's political life is traced to Dr Chiluba in 1990 when they campaigned together in MMD and he later became his Vice-President. It must be remembered that in 2001, President Mwanawasa was in private practice and citizen. Dr Chiluba called him to national duty as a presidential candidate and consequently became President as his successor. The economic successes can't be divorced from the successes of MMD and policies of Dr Chiluba's tenure of office.

President Mwanawasa's successes and economic policies are founded in the policies of Dr Chiluba. It, therefore, remains a sad loss to the country and the region."
Chiluba said Zambia was a constitutional democracy and that the country would be guided by the Constitution.

"Let's rally behind the Vice-President and MMD know your order and no one can teach you what to do," said Chiluba.
The United States government stated that it mourned the loss of President Mwanawasa with great regret and respect.

"On behalf of the United States government and the American people, we convey our deepest condolences to first lady Maureen Mwanawasa and the Mwanawasa family. At this time of sorrow, our thoughts are with the people of the Republic of Zambia and the entire SADC region, whom the President served with conviction and commitment. May they find consolation and solace during this difficult time," the US government stated. "President Mwanawasa will be long remembered and admired for his contribution to economic development, good governance, regional peace and security, and respect for the rule of law. His legacy provides an example to leaders, both locally and abroad, who follow in his steps."

MMD national secretary Katele Kalumba said although President Mwanawasa was no more, the quest for national economic emancipation, justice for all, freedom from basic want and respect for the commonweal would continue.

Kalumba called on Zambians to stand together beyond partisan lines and all other divisional, regional or ethnic barriers as they remembered President Mwanawasa.
"A good man is gone. A nation is deprived. Today is Zambia's darkest hour...For MMD cadres, this is an hour that calls for our deepest courage to remain united as we express our grief and sympathise for our first lady. I pray that we keep the first lady and the family in prayer. The MMD secretariat will be the focal point for communication for this matter," said Kalumba.

Roman Catholic Bishops called upon all Zambians to continue praying for the repose of the soul of President Mwanawaasa and also pray for his family.

"We are particularly touched because one of the last public activities President Mwanawasa performed in Zambia was to address the Catholic Bishops and delegates who were assembled for the 16th AMECEA plenary assembly at the Cathedral of the Child Jesus in Lusaka on 28th June, 2008," stated Bishop George Lungu, president of Zambia Episcopal Conference (ZEC). "We extend heartfelt condolences to Mrs. Maureen Mwanawasa, the family, the government and the people of Zambia on the untimely passing away of our President. May the Lord grant consolation to his family during this difficult period."

Former Republican vice-president pastor Nevers Mumba said the news about President Mwanawasa's death was extremely shocking.

"It's extremely sad, it's one thing to hear that someone is ill but when you hear the drums of death, it comes with a complete new dimension," pastor Mumba said.
He urged Christians to continue to pray that the tragedy that had befallen the nation would not divide people. He urged people to realise that it was in unity that they could survive. Pastor Mumba said the Church should continue to pray for peace to prevail in the country.

Former private secretary to the President John Ziba said it was a sad day for Zambia. He said President Mwanawasa was coming well in his second term and would go down in history as a statesman.

"It would be a monumental task for anyone who will succeed him because the man has achieved so much in his few years. The fight against corruption he pioneered and now we are respected in the region. He has brought sanity in running government," Ziba said. "Zambia is now being mentioned as a benchmark on good governance and economic management. We should maintain that level of confidence given to the country."
Meanwhile, some Kitwe residents talked to expressed shock at President Mwanawasa's death.

All Africa Conference of Churches special assistant to the general secretary special duties, Reverend Japhet Ndhlovu said the death of President Mwanawasa had taken Zambians unawares and called all citizens across the country to maintain peace by turning to God as the only source of comfort.

Rev Ndhlovu, who is also an assistant to the ninth Assembly Continental coordinator, further urged politicians in Zambia not to incite people by making careless statements during this period of mourning.

"Political leaders should lead the country during this mourning period and get back to the agenda on the next step after every procedure has been completed," said Rev Ndhlovu.
South Africa's opposition Democratic Alliance also joined the SADC bloc in mourning the passing of President Mwanawasa.

"He will be remembered for his strong stance against corruption, sound economic policies, and principled position in resolving the political impasse in Zimbabwe," the alliance's press statement read in part. "We urge regional leaders to honour his memory by upholding his vision for a politically stable region. Our thoughts are with the people of Zambia during this difficult time."

The Zimbabwe National Students Union (ZINASU) extended its heartfelt condolences to the people of Zambia.

"We salute and cherish the legacy you left and contribution you made in the struggle for the betterment of the lives of the people of Africa and in pursuit of democracy and good governance in the region and the continent at large," ZINASU stated.

The British High Commission in Zambia, on behalf of the Department for International Development and the British Council stated that they were deeply saddened to learn of President Mwanawasa's death.

Labels: EMILY SIKAZWE, MWANAWASA, RUPIAH BANDA, WFC

posted by MrK @ 5:14 AM