Maravi

Regina complains of a hard life

Regina complains of a hard life
By Moses Kuwema and Mukosha Funga
Tue 19 June 2012, 13:25 CAT

REGINA Chiluba says the past one year has been the hardest of her life. And Frederick Chiluba's son, Kaindu, says he remembers his father as a kind-hearted, down-to-earth, friendly and generous man.

Meanwhile, late Chiluba's pastor Bishop Peter Ndhlovu says what has happened to him (Chiluba) should not happen to any leader.

In a speech read for her by Barbab Coker during the memorial service for her late husband at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross yesterday, Regina said her house no longer felt like a home any more.

"This past year has been one of the hardest of my life. We dearly miss your presence especially your grandchildren, some of whom are still too young to understand your absence," Regina said.

Regina said the hand of God had seen her family through the hardships.

"We have all been comforted by the fact that you are resting in the arms of the Lord, the God Whom we worship day and night. We continue thanking God for the time that He gave you to us. We also thank God for the things that you taught us and everything that you did for this nation," she said.

Kaindu said Chiluba was a champion of democracy and was one of the pioneers of multiparty democracy in Zambia.

"Dr Chiluba is well remembered as a great son of Zambia who brought significant change to the country, politically and economically. As the president, he introduced among others, the home empowerment scheme to the benefit of all Zambians," he said.

Meanwhile, acting President Alexander Chikwanda said the press in Zambia was operating the way it was now because of Chiluba's leadership.

Chikwanda described Chiluba as a person who had no malice in his life.

Speaking at the same event, Bible Gospel Church in Africa Bishop Peter Ndhlovu said it was only when people knew God that the country could be free from corruption.

Bishop Ndhlovu said for as long as people's hearts remained corrupt, it would be difficult to fight corruption.

"If we want to fight corruption, we must know there is God. When we know God, we will have a corrupt free country. We can put in all the mechanisms but for as long as man's heart remains corrupt, it will be difficult," he said.

Bishop Ndhlovu also said people must learn to discuss matters on the table and not go to the grave with bitterness.

"Politics is of respect and forging ahead. Let's celebrate this man's life, not with bitterness. What has happened to him, let it not happen to any leader," Bishop Ndhlovu said.

The memorial service was attended by a number of people that included family members, government officials, leaders of opposition political parties, the Deputy Speaker Mkhondo Lungu and acting deputy chief justice Florence Mumba, among others.

Later, family members led people in laying wreaths at Chiluba's grave at the Embassy Park.

Labels: FREDERICK CHILUBA, REGINA CHILUBA

posted by MrK @ 2:52 PM