Maravi

Sata, Bingu hug and chat

Sata, Bingu hug and chat
By Chibaula Silwamba in Mangaung, South Africa
Mon 09 Jan. 2012, 14:00 CAT

PRESIDENT Michael Sata and his Malawian counterpart Bingu Wa Mutharika on Saturday night hugged and had a friendly chat during their first meeting since the former's deportation from that country in 2007. This happened at South Africa's governing African National Congress (ANC) 100th anniversary eve dinner hosted in honour of foreign dignitaries.

As President Mutharika, who arrived late for the dinner, walked past where the Zambian head of state sat at the VIP table, President Sata stood up and the duo - previously regarded as enemies - hugged, exchanged "kind words" and laughed.

After they hugged, President Sata asked Mutharika that "kumunzi kuli bwanji? How is the village?" and the Malawian leader responded: "kuli bwino. Nanga mubwela liti? The village is okay. When are you coming (to Malawi)?"

In his response, President Sata told Mutharika that "tizamu uzani. We will tell you."

President Mutharika's government unceremoniously deported President Sata, when he was opposition leader from Malawi in 2007.

President Sata has since forgiven President Mutharika.

And addressing dignitaries at the dinner gala, President Sata said Zambia would learn from South Africa about the citizenship empowerment.

"South Africa for 100 years, you have changed human beings who are ANC leaders but the party remains the same. You are so dynamic that we have to learn from you; your citizenship empowerment is paying dividends," President Sata said.

"Former president of Zambia Dr Kenneth Kaunda was saying, ‘we want South Africa to be liberated so that it can be a workshop of Africa' but now you are more than the workshop of Africa. Mr President Zuma, I congratulate you and the people of South Africa for being very united."

He said South Africa and Zambia had similarities, especially concerning democracy.

"In Africa it's only in Zambia and South Africa where a president is defeated. I am very pleased to tell you that the first president to be defeated in Zambia is with us here, Dr Kenneth Kaunda," said President Sata as the dignitaries clapped in honour of Dr Kaunda.

"After Dr Kenneth Kaunda was defeated, Frederick Chiluba was defeated. Levy Mwanawasa died before he was defeated. Rupiah Banda was defeated. Hundred years is nothing but what is more important is the achievements of the 100 years. You are the only political party in Africa which has remained together for 100 years."

President Sata described Dr Kaunda as "my icon", attracting further applause as people chanted: "KK! KK! KK!"

Earlier when President Sata's name was called for him to deliver a speech, some dignitaries stood up to see him, and others were heard saying: "it's Michael Sata!"

Yesterday, hundreds of ANC members and supporters clad in party regalia, others with iconic leader Nelson Mandela's portraits, thronged Mangaung (Bloemfontein), the birthplace of the party, in Free State Province to mark its 100 years of existence.

They have been dancing day and night, while motorists are playing liberation songs loudly in their vehicles.

ANC regalia is on sale and party flags are attached to vehicles and street poles.

Labels: BINGU WA MUTHARIKA, KENNETH KAUNDA, MALAWI, MICHAEL SATA

posted by MrK @ 4:09 PM