(LUSAKATIMES) Chief Kapijimpanga, a man of vision

Chief Kapijimpanga, a man of vision
December 12, 2008

The late Chief Kapijimpanga of the Kaonde people in Solwezi district of Northwestern province, who died on Sunday, has been buried at Kabungo traditional cemetery.

Speaking at the burial site in Solwezi today, Minister of Local Government and Housing Benny Tetamashimba, described the late chief as a leader who had developmental programs as his personal agenda.

Mr. Tetamashimba said the late Australia Katuka Kapijimpanga, who had a foresight and focused desire to see development in Solwezi, released 50 square kilometers of his traditional land for development of Solwezi.

He said the late chief’s decision to releases tracts of land for development was in accordance with the vision of late President Mwanawasa of re-planning Solwezi district.

Mr. Tetamashimba noted that without the late chief’s vision, the replanning of Solwezi would not been on the district’s agenda for next year.

He added that Solwezi would soon be turned into a city status because of late traditional leader’s vision.

Mr. Tetamashimba said the late chief Kapijimpanga desired that his people should embrace development projects.

The minister said this would make government greatly miss the late chief.

He said the late traditional ruler deserved a credit because he was one person, who was among many people that worked with government to bring the new development of Kansanshi mine in the area.

Mr. Tetamashimba explained that government greatly appreciated the late chief’s work such that President Rupiah Banda would have loved to attend his burial but failed because of other pressing national duties.

He informed the mourners that President Banda has however sent his deepest condolences to the Kapijimpanga royal family.

Mr. Tetamashimba however appealed to Kansanshi mine to exhibit the similar good relationships to the new chief as they did to the late traditional leader.

And former Inspector General of Police, Ephraim Mateyo, chief Mumena’s representative, Jackson Kakoma, and former Works and Supply Minister Ludwig Sondashi, all appealed for calm and peace during the mourning time until a successor to the throne was chosen.

The late chief, Australia Katuka, was born on the 13th June 1932 and ascended to the Kapijimpanga throne on 4th July 1978.

He is survived by a wife, 14 children and several grand children.

The burial ceremony was also attended by Northwestern Province Minister Joseph Mulyata, Ministry of Community Development Permanent Secretary, Teddy Kasonso, Northwestern Province Permanent Secretary Jeston Mulando, clerk of the House of Chiefs and several other dignitaries.