Sata explains differences with RB at granddaughter's funeral

Sata explains differences with RB at granddaughter's funeral
Written by Katwishi Bwalya
Tuesday, June 30, 2009 3:17:15 PM

PATRIOTIC Front PF president Michael Sata on Tuesday said he has only differed with President Rupiah Banda politically. In his farewell message for his late granddaughter Kayula at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross, Sata paid tribute to his late granddaughter for helping bring President Banda’s family and his children together.

Sata had called President Banda’s son Henry, to stand next to him as he gave his speech to mourners who had gathered for the church service.

"We have differences with your father [President Banda] and we are a big camp and the differences we have with your father are only political but Kayula brought us together," Sata said.

He also commended Henry, for facilitating the evacuation of Kayula to South Africa for treatment when she was ill.

"Henry has been instrumental and very close to Mulenga and his wife and he was a Godfather to Kayula because of our old family ties and perhaps he was the one who convinced his father to come and attend the funeral," Sata said.

The PF leader thanked President Banda for finding time to attend the funeral of Kayula who died at the University Teaching Hospital UTH from Cancer. He said he was very grateful to President Banda for allowing Lusaka Province minister Lameck Mangani to attend the funeral on his behalf.

"I thank the President for sending his minister for Lusaka Province Lameck Mangani to come and mourn with us. If you look at the number of people who have come to mourn with us it is like we are mourning an adult," he said.

Sata said the funeral of his granddaughter had reminded him of the time when he saw his mother dying 34 years ago.

"The death of Kayula brought memories of what happened 34 years ago in Kitwe. It was the first time I sat on that hospital bed and watch my mother dying peacefully," he said.

Sata also paid tribute to all the people who had braced the cold wheather by attending the funeral. UPND president Hakainde Hichilema, his vice Richard Kapita, several UPND and PF members of parliament were among the mourners that attended the funeral. All People’s Congress president Ken Ngondo also attended the funeral.