Government officials shuns KK’s day

Government officials shuns KK’s day
By Bright Mukwasa
Fri 29 Apr. 2011, 04:01 CAT

THE government yesterday shunned birthday celebrations and the unveiling of Dr Kenneth Kaunda’s statue at his pre-independence house in Chilenje, Lusaka.

And Dr Kaunda expressed sadness at the news that both Patriotic Front president Michael Sata and tourism minister Catherine Namugala could not turn up for his birthday.

The unveiling of the monument at his former house, 394 Chilenje, was supposed to be graced by Catherine Namugala.

Kabwata PF member of parliament Given Lubinda said he was informed that Namugala was not going to attend the event because Michael Sata would be in attendance.

Lubinda, who apologised to Dr Kaunda, told Chilenje residents who had gathered to witness the event that initially there had been a hoax circulating that the unveiling of the statue had been cancelled, without disclosing its source.

Lubinda expressed sadness at the absence of the two leaders at the event.

“Namugala said she will not be here if president Sata will be here. I am extremely sad, Mr. President,” Lubinda said amid shouts of shame from the audience.

He said Sata opted to stay away from the event so that he doesn’t spoil the party following Namugala’s reservations.

“Let me apologise for the absence of president Sata and let me also apologise for the absence of the minister Namugala. Indeed, I apologise for the the two leaders Sir," he said.

Lubinda said it was sad political frictions were extending to non-partisan functions like the birthday of Dr Kaunda.

He said Sata had directed Lubinda to let the event continue as Dr Kaunda was bigger than the individuals involved owing to his sacrifice for the country’s struggle for independence.

Lubinda said Dr Kaunda would be remembered for his humility.

And Dr Kaunda expressed sadness at the news that both Sata and Namugala could not turn up for his birthday.

Dr Kaunda called on Zambians to embrace the philosophy of “One Zambia, One Nation”.

He apologised that his wife, Betty, could not attend the event.

“Let me apologise for the absence of my girl (Betty), sorry for amai minister Catherine Namugala, president Sata. I think we have been told the reasons why they are not here, let’s learn from that,” Dr Kaunda said.

Dr Kaunda called on Zambians to obey the law of God and to love one another regardless of tribe, race or religion.

“We must continue to build Zambia on the ‘One Zambia One Nation’, on that basis, without that there is no hope for us. Let us remember that it’s not tribe that’s important,” he said.

Dr Kaunda said Zambians ought to love each other as they just emerged from reflecting on the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ (Easter) whose life they must emulate.

Meanwhile, Dr Kaunda says Zambia needs peace even through this year’s elections.

In an interview on Wednesday prior to his 87th birthday which fell yesterday, Dr Kaunda called on Zambians to bear in mind the philosophy behind the struggle for independence.

“We want our people to maintain our peace in Zambia. Even during this election we need that peace,” Dr Kaunda said.

He challenged youths to be more patriotic and take part in efforts to propel the country to economic prosperity.

“The most important thing is to follow the teaching of God your creator and follow His laws. There is peace in following that and in disobeying them there’s death,” he said.

Dr Kaunda advised Zambians to follow the Bible teaching of the Golden Rule of “do unto others as you would like them do unto you”.

And Dr Kaunda, who attended South Africa’s Freedom Day on Wednesday, urged South African President Jacob Zuma and his government to remember the purpose for the struggle of that country’s independence.

He said South Africa was the most oppressed during the apartheid era and he was glad that Africa had joined together to clamp down on that brutality.

Dr Kaunda said he was glad that South Africans were getting over the oppression of apartheid.