Sikatana was a fearless voice of reason - Dr Scott

Sikatana was a fearless voice of reason - Dr Scott
By Fridah Nkonde and Namatama Mundia
Wed 20 June 2012, 13:24 CAT

VICE-President Dr Guy Scott says the late Mundia Sikatana was a fearless voice of reason in the cause of justice and respect for human rights.

And acting Chief Justice Lombe Chibesakunda has described Sikatana who was put to rest yesterday as a bold and great legal brain that contributed a lot to the jurisprudence in Zambia.

During church service for the late Sikatana at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross in Lusaka yesterday, Vice-President Scott said Sikatana stood up and spoke out even when it was not fashionable to appear to challenge the official interpretation of events.

He described Sikatana as one of the most "outstanding citizens of our time", a distinguished lawyer, a conscientious loving husband, father and grandfather who love and served his country well".

Vice-President Scott said President Michael Sata sent his heartfelt condolences.

"We all remember that when he was appointed minister of agriculture, food and fisheries in 2002, he was already 67 years old and yet he brought the energy, enthusiasm and drive to his office which was the envy of many of our youths. The year 2002 was a particularly difficult one for our country. There was widespread crop failure in the country due to poor rains and many households faced famine. The government then was faced with the choice of whether or not to accept genetically modified maize, (GMOs), from well-meaning donors," he said.

Vice-President Scott said even though there were a lot of debates about the safety of GMO maize, Sikatana, as Minister of Agriculture carried out the difficult task with distinction, while ensuring that not a single Zambian life was lost due to lack of access to natural, non-genetically modified maize meal.

He said when Sikatana left public service in 2007; he had won his place of honour in the country's history and was a friend of people from all walks of life.

And Sikatana's widow, Monde, in her tribute read by a family member, Emmy Mwesa, said Zambia had lost a gallant leader.

Monde said the Sikatana family had lost a man who united the family.

"My dear husband, I remember so vividly how we started our journey together 49 years ago, both working as teachers. In our years together I learnt so many things from you. Paramount among them was your love, selflessness towards others and always putting other people's needs before yours. You also taught me how to face any difficult situation with courage and never giving up no matter how complex it was. I saw you come out of situations that were so challenging and even scary at times, but you were always a victor at the end. I saw you rise from being a teacher to a prominent lawyer and later in your life to a forceful politician. I admired your zeal to succeed. At times even when things were hard, you always rose up to any given situations," she said.

She said her late husband was a courageous man who at times even raised sensitive issues.

Monde said truth was always paramount to her husband as he called a spade, a spade.

"Your courage sometimes earned you bad names to those who did not know what you stood for…you fought for the rights of the underprivileged many at times. You represented clients who couldn't afford to pay the legal fees but you joyfully did it. I know that the Lord rewarded you because you were always full of joy by doing so. The seed of love planted in our family will continue to germinate as I have seen it growing. I promise to continue with your strive to always keep the family together…I have lost a friend, father to my children, a role model and mentor. I have lost my twin brother and the love of my lifetime. Rest in peace my husband," she said.

Meanwhile, Sikatana's first born daughter Masiliso described her late father as a hardworking, God-fearing man who was full of life.

Masiliso thanked him for educating her and her siblings.

She said her father taught them to love, respect, and work hard in life, and that they were all proud to have him as their father.

And Trinity United Church of Zambia Reverend Mwape Chilekwa said Sikatana was a brave man who spoke his mind and made a difference in Zambia.

Sikatana passed away on Thursday night at the University Teaching Hospital in Lusaka and was put to rest at Leopards Hill Memorial Park.

Speaking at the valedictory session at the Supreme Court yesterday, justice Chibesakunda said Sikatana was not only a brilliant lawyer but was also a very hard-working politician, who contributed not only to the legal family but to the country as a whole.

"It is therefore, not easy to find the right and appropriate words to express this loss to the legal family and indeed the whole nation," she said.
Justice Chibesakunda said Sikatana would be remembered for being a bold legal practitioner and yet a very courteous man to the courts.

"He will also be remembered for his desire to take the law to another level by taking up very challenging cases as long as he believed in the cause being championed," she said.

"Those of us that knew him personally inside and outside court were struck by not only his humility but also by the calmness of his mind. Even when he became a minister, Mr Sikatana never forgot where the courts were situated. Also, even in retirement from politics, he continued to appear in courts."

Law Association of Zambia vice-president Martin Musaluke said the association learnt with great sadness of the tragic demise of Sikatana who was highly respected in the legal profession.

"Therefore as we mourn this great legal practitioner, we must build our country premised on the values of equal justice for all, democracy and prosperity and Mr Sikatana's legacy shall remain a guiding light on our responsibilities as lawyers and as individuals," Musaluke said.

Solicitor General Musa Mwenye, who delivered a speech on behalf of Attorney General Mumba Malila, said Sikatana belonged to a generation of lawyers that put the love of the practice of the law above profit and whose manners and courtesy at the bar was and still is unparalled.

"The loss of Mr Sikatana is particularly sad because it signals the fact that this generation of lawyers is a fast depleting resource whose experiences at the bar have to be documented," he said.
Sikatana was born on March 6, 1938.

He was called to the Zambian bar in 1974 and practiced under the name and style of Veritas Chambers from 1974 until 2001 when he was appointed a cabinet minister.

Also present at the valedictory session were acting Deputy Chief Justice Florence Mumba, Supreme and High Court judges, and Director of Public Prosecutions Mutembo Nchito among others.