Levy deeply despised corruption and opportunism, says Maureen

Levy deeply despised corruption and opportunism, says Maureen
Written by masa
Thursday, August 20, 2009 3:25:39 AM

FORMER first lady Maureen Mwanawasa yesterday said the late president Levy Mwanawasa deeply despised corruption and opportunism, adding that the best way to remember him is to try and champion some of the causes he stood for.

And President Rupiah Banda urged people to refrain from making unnecessary comments which create the wrong impression that president Mwanawasa's legacy is in question, saying the comments only hurt the family.

During the first memorial service for president Mwanawasa at Cathedral of the Holy Cross yesterday, Maureen - who was accompanied by her children - said she had come to learn that president Mwanawasa was loved and respected by many. "Allow me to walk you down the memory lane of the life of president Mwanawasa and to highlight some of his salient characteristics, what he stood for and what he experienced as he led this great nation of Zambia. President Mwanawasa believed that to lead was to live dangerously. When leadership counts, you have to lead people through difficult times of change. As you advocate for change, you challenge what people hold dear i.e. their daily habits, tools, loyalties and ways of thinking with nothing more to offer perhaps than a possibility," Maureen said. "President Mwanawasa came to understand that people push back when you disturb their personal and institutional equilibrium, and that people resist in all kinds of creative and unexpected ways that can get you taken out of the game, pushed aside, undermined or eliminated all together. President Mwanawasa also learnt that however gentle your style of leadership, however careful your strategy, however sure you may be that you are on the right track, leading was a risky business. But these facts did not deter him.

"Instead he gained more courage and passion to lead Zambia to the best of his ability together with his team of men and women who believed in his vision for Zambia. He was anxious to do what he could to bring relief to the people's suffering and to find solutions to the many problems besetting the nation."

She said the late president Mwanawasa hated conduct and practices that were detrimental to the development of the country.

"He deeply despised laziness, corruption, opportunism and self-serving pursuits. He strongly believed that these vices were an impediment to national development. His stance on corruption was the same to those close to him as it was to others. He repeatedly warned all those who were close to him not to expect any sympathy or protection from him if they engaged in corrupt practices and he meant every word he said," Maureen said. "President Mwanawasa believed that leadership was also worth the risk because the goals he aimed at, extended beyond material gain and personal advancement. He meant to serve and lived what he preached. His vision was to see the lives of Zambians improved and for life to have meaning and purpose."

He said the late president believed in the rule of law and not the rule of men.

"President Mwanawasa's leadership over the years was anchored on listening to people and dialogue with people from within the country, from other nations and walks of life, including workers, managers and activists, Presidents of other countries and multinational corporations, parents, clergy, generals and admirals as well as lieutenants, captains and privates, senior and junior executives within business and governments, teachers, doctors, nurses and principals and trustees and generally men and women and the youth from all walks of life," Maureen said. "President Mwanawasa took on leadership when the country had many economic challenges. The expectations from the nationals were high. He made several trips abroad to plead for help from the IMF, World Bank etc, he consulted many economic experts at home and abroad and president Mwanawasa knew that any practical solution would require each region and sector of society to endure considerable pain, at least in the short term."

She said the absolute selflessness and passion with which president Mwanawasa served the nation should serve as an example.

"And be emulated by those aspiring to positions of leadership for the benefit of our nation. As we commemorate the first anniversary of our beloved president's passing-on, allow me to suggest that the best way to remember him is to try and champion some of the causes he stood for while he had the privilege to lead this country," Maureen said. "Our late president stood for a fair society that was governed by the rule of law. President Mwanawasa fought to emancipate our country from poverty so that all our children could grow up in good health and security. He believed that employment brought dignity to people and family life. He wanted the people of our country to responsibly explore and yet promote the well-being of our natural environment."

She said memories were equally filled with his passion for justice.

"In his public as well as private life, he thirsted for fairness. He desired that everyone be considered and treated equal under the law. He genuinely believed equality before the law was the bearest minimum requirement for fair society," Maureen said. "Our memories are filled with the late president's passion for the development of our country. He expressed this through his promotion of the agriculture and mining industries. President Mwanawasa took bold steps in response to the economic challenges and that is what forms the Mwanawasa legacy."

She said president Mwanawasa lived his purpose.

"He showed the world how to embrace people who hold different opinions from us. He challenged unfairness even when it came from his fellow heads of state as was stated in his last will and testimony which was broadcast on our electronic media," Maureen said.

She said president Mwanawasa was aware of his shortcomings and that he asked for forgiveness for the mistakes he may have made.

Maureen said she had come to learn and appreciate that she was not alone in the grief.

And President Banda said the country had gone through a difficult year since the loss of president Mwanawasa.

"Levy Mwanawasa may be gone but his words still inspire our debate, his ideas animate our politics and his works call us to uphold good values as he did. This is what constitutes Levy Patrick Mwanawasa's legacy. Mwanawasa's legacy is about an ideal or vision of the type of country that he wanted Zambia to be," President Banda said. "The general outlines of this legacy can be deduced from what the late president stood for and some of the decisions that he took to realise this."

He said the fight against corruption was probably the issue for which president Mwanawasa was most remembered today.

"In the fight against corruption, president Mwanawasa summed up the hopes and dreams of this nation and inspired even his critics to embrace the ideal of a clean, corruption-free Zambia," President Banda said. "I want to urge all compatriots to refrain from making unnecessary comments which create the wrong impression that the late president's legacy is in question. It is not. The comments just hurt the family and add no value to the cause our late president believed in. Let us kindly allow him to rest in peace."

He said president Mwanawasa's legacy called on individuals to unite and work for justice.

"The reason we still hear the echo of Levy's words is that they stand in stark contrast to the disharmony and acrimony that we have in this country today. Our country has in the last two decades faced many difficulties," President Banda said. "Even as we are building and consolidating our democracy, there is need to maintain peace and harmony. I therefore, urge you fellow Zambians to unite in order to preserve peace and unity as we remember the late Dr Mwanawasa. Let us desist from all forms of antagonism that could put the peace at stake and derail development in the nation."

He said president Mwanawasa reminded the nation of the need to work together to achieve prosperity for all.

"He reminds us still. He reminds us that we should put aside our political and religious differences and work for the good of the country. My message on this sombre occasion therefore, reiterates his message. It is time for us to start praying for the healing of our nation. Let us pray so that we build a country of people who love one another and believe and practice justice for all," President Banda said. "Let us promote love and unity in Zambia even as we face challenges. Let us remember also that Dr Mwanawasa's love for peace and commitment towards reconciliation went beyond the Zambian borders. You will recall how often he travelled, even when he was not too well, to attend meetings where peace was the main objective.

"Indeed he died on duty, in pursuance of unity, peace and development in Africa. This is the message of hope that Levy left us with. It is a message that points down the road Levy never finished travelling. It is a road I hope our politics and our country begin to take in the months and years to come."

He said the loss of president Mwanawasa could have led to confusion and disruption of peace and stability, especially that the country had to go to elections soon after burying the late president.

"But the Zambians remained united and peaceful during this difficult period and ensured that elections were conducted peacefully," President Banda said. "I have travelled to many countries in our region and beyond and everywhere I have gone, people have expressed admiration for the manner that we conducted ourselves during the time that my late brother was ill, his death and subsequent elections."

He thanked the Mwanawasa family for having accepted to bury president Mwanawasa at Embassy Park contrary to his wish to be buried at his Palabana farm.

He said the government had declared Embassy Park a national heritage in honour of the late president.

The memorial service was attended by President Banda and first lady Thandiwe, Dr Kenneth Kaunda, Chief Justice Ernest Sakala, Speaker of the National Assembly Amusaa Mwanamwambwa, PF leader Michael Sata, UPND president Hakainde Hichilema, Heritage Party president Brigadier General Godfrey Miyanda, Cabinet and deputy ministers and MMD members of parliament, diplomats, the clergy and senior government officials.

Conspicuously missing was former president Frederick Chiluba, who was said to have travelled to Mazabuka to visit someone in hospital.

Later during the wreath laying ceremony at Embassy Park, president Mwanawasa's youngest children, Lubona and Ntembe, moved the hearts of several people as they broke down before, during and after laying wreaths at the grave.

As all of president Mwanawasa's children were called upon to lay wreaths just after their mother, the two girls were seen shedding tears when they were about a few metres away from the grave.

The children, who could not hold back their tears, broke down and several other attendants were also seen shedding tears and holding hands in sorrow.

President Banda, who was the first to lay wreaths, represented all government officials and ordinary Zambians.

Other notables at the ceremony were Dr Kaunda, Sata and Hichilema.

Several dignitaries from the diplomatic corps were also called upon to lay wreaths.

Meanwhile, Maureen refused to shake hands with chief government spokesperson Lieutenant General Ronnie Shikapwasha.

When the ceremony was over and just after President Banda and other dignitaries left Embassy Park, several well-wishers walked to the tent where Maureen was and lined up to shake hands with her.

She was seen shaking hands with several people, but when Lt Gen Shikapwasha's turn came, the former first lady did not extend her hand.

Instead Maureen stretched both hands down and gave a smile to Lt Gen Shikapwasha.

Lt Gen Shikapwasha smiled back and walked away.

The incident attracted the attention of several onlookers who wondered what could have been the reason behind Maureen's action.