Fourth Republican President Rupiah Banda described Dennis Liwewe as a man whose inspiration transcended the Zambian borders.
Mr Banda, in a statement issued by deputy administrative secretary Kennedy Limwanya, said Mr Liwewe rendered great service to Zambia and his unmistakable voice inspired the entire southern African region.
“He was a good friend of mine and we travelled to many places together including Egypt when Zambia reached the Africa Cup final for the first time in 1974. I send my condolences to his family. The Zambian people loved him so much,” he said.
Below is the full statement
THE REPUBLIC OF ZAMBIA
OFFICE OF THE FOURTH REPUBLICAN PRESIDENT
Press Release
“LIWEWE INSPIRED BEYOND ZAMBIA”
LUSAKA, 22nd April, 2014—His Excellency Mr Rupiah Bwezani Banda, the Fourth President of the Republic of Zambia, has described the late football commentator Dennis Liwewe as a man whose inspiration transcended the Zambian borders.
The former head of State says Liwewe, who died this morning at Levy Mwanawasa Hospital, rendered great service to Zambia and his unmistakable voice inspired the entire southern African region.
“That time, most freedom fighters from southern Africa were here in Zambia and used to listen to his commentaries. So Liwewe was a household voice and a great inspiration to the whole region,” says President Banda.
He further describes Liwewe as a good parent, as exemplified by the achievements of his children.
“He was a good friend of mine and we travelled to many places together including Egypt when Zambia reached the Africa Cup final for the first time in 1974. I send my condolences to his family. The Zambian people loved him so much.”
_____________________________________________________________
Issued by:
Kennedy Limwanya
DEPUTY ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT
Not sure I agree with that, however he will be a big loss for the country Dr Banda
MHSRIP
Thanks
MR BANDA I NOW UNDERSTAND AND KNOW WHY U WEPT THAT DAY WE THOUGHT IT WAS A GOOD DAY BUT INFACT IT WAS A DAY LEADING TO DARK DAYS SHAME
TETI TUBWELELE PANUMA BA LIWEWE, TETI TUBWELELE PANUMA
BA LIWEWE TWABA PAMAKASA PAMAKASA YENU TETI TUBWELELE PANUMA!!!
” …HERE COMES SHIRARI, SHIRARI FOR MOROCCO… LOSES THE BALL TO CHARLES ‘COMPUTER’ MUSONDA AND MUSONDA TURNS AROUND 360 DEGREES LOOKING FOR KALUSHA BWALYA…. KALUSHA IS INJURED FAR AWAY FROM HERE ABOUT 10 METRES FROM THE 18 AREA – FREE KICK TO ZAMBIA… IF YOU’RE JOINING US NOW IT’S 1-1 HERE AT INDEPENDENCE STADIUM 89 MINUTES GONE. AND HERE’S KALUSHA BWALYA WITH AN INDIRECT FREE-KICK – IT’S A GOOOOAAL!!!”
Now please shut up Mushota and have dignity. Your first was impeccable when the news broke and you confessed that you didn’t know him. How come of a sudden you have become an expert on this legend. Silence is golden all the time. Use you time in Scotland to go back to school! You neither have etiquette nor class. Go and search the web and you will know just how respected Denise Liwewe was in the football fraternity. There is time to laugh and time mourn.
….full of typos because I am fuming at Mushota. An apology is in order if you are WOMAN enough Mushota.
I have done nothing wrong, 2 hit wonder.
Leave me alone, you always pick on me. Not fair is it?
I have stated my belief and should be respected, end of.
At no time have i undermined the man you adored , I simply find Mr Banda disingenuous in his statement.
Of course you disagree with me, but you are just picking on a wrong person, and please I have feelings, if you push me more than is necessary, I promise I will push back.This is not a threat, it is a promise.
Thanks
It’s a goal!!…no, no, no, it’s not a goal… BUT THEN IT TOOK OFF LIKE A 737 MILLITARY JET FIGHTER BOMBER HERE…
EAST AND CENTRAL AFRICA SENIOR CHALLENG CUP: “…. He has missed a penalty… Yes, he has missed a penalty….. BUT THEN, HAS CHILENGI EVER SCORED A PENALTY? “
And Liwewe the legend enjoyed pronouncing names that sounded a bit odd, like:
KAPELA KATUMPA
GOITA KITUKA
JIM SALIM
ROBERT WATIYAKENI
MFEDE(CAmeroun)
OPUKU NTI ( Ghana)
I remember how we would gather around a 2-band battery powered radio listening to his commentaries and VISUALISING THE ACTION ON THE FOOTBALL PITCH. … TWALAMILILA SHANI BA LIWEWE – words can never be enough!!!!!!
To be honest, I don’t get it either. The man was a soccer commentator what was his contribution to Zambia again?
@Nubian, do you know how much you contribute to Zambia(ns) happiness? Even Mushota does annoy Zambians, but still love her “hate-love”.
Liwewe made us (who enjoy soccer) happy. We bought radios, beer and hozamwina just for sake of Liwewe. We used to turn-off TV volume, and full-blast the radio to listen to Liwewe. So Liwewe contributed economically and socially.
He deserves to be buried inside Independence stadium.
@Mushota, I honestly don’t pick on you sunshine but you sometimes like to rush and be the first to comment with no restraint or knowledge about the subject matter. That changes the scope of the blog matter and influences the topic to immediately get off course. For a graduate and a doctor to be you need to be more sturdy and research the topic beforehand and stop shooting from the hip – don’t you think so?
On retaliation, of course you can bring it on! I like an intellectual tussle and that is what it’s gonna be – no more no less. Let us use these fora to educate, inform and share concepts with our brothers and sisters back home. Europe is predominantly white so is America and we are in the minority. Though racism is hidden, it is still here well and alive. Where are you gonna run to?
Mushota you are such a CUNT
Mushota and Nubian Princess, please learn to skip topics you don’t understand instead of trying to sound contraversial but only only ending up sounding like an overloaded arse.
We will miss you Dennis Liwewe, our father, grand father, husband and greatest football commentator Zambia has ever produced. Your talent surely rubbed off on Ponga and he did well with Supersport. Go well son of mother Zambia. Hamba kale!
Its a goal!!!!!!! That goal is too good to be eaten mubale wanga!!
Nkana Red devils in the lead and….the end ….Nkana have won AND I can tell you production at SOB Shaft tomorow will be up by 17.56%. !!! Yayayayayaya! They are chanting devil devil!!!
We have scored and it is Kalu Kalu kalu!!!!! The Italians are down and cannot believe. I can tell it is good to be a Zambian!!!
Chitalu,
I have just gone back to those beautiful days, experiencing Goose bumps…… Life is beautiful sobbing….. RIP!
@ Chitalu, this conversation cracked my ribs:
We have scored and it is Kalu Kalu kalu!!!!! The Italians are down and cannot believe. I can tell it is good to be a Zambian!!!
Ponga what do you say?!
Yes Dennis it’s good to be Zambian!!!!
Don’t call me Dennis I’m your Dad!
LOL! Nice one klokodylo!
Chitalu, you made me have goose bumps too and I really went back to those beautiful days. He was a great son of Zambia. We will surely miss him.
Had he been born in a country where they appreciate and honor heroes he would have been a towering icon of unparalleled worldwide renown, probably exceeding the popularity of today’s so called celebrities. But he lived in a country where genius isn’t appreciated. Only we the common folk, adore and cherish him and we will do so forever. He was a genius. I don’t know of any guy like him in commentator circles.
@Mushota, and for your 1.5 too, comment to we-galu-we.
Yes RB, just like your theft transcended zambian boarders to Congo, Tanzania and Nigeria
Hey, all y’all shouting mushota mushota grow up and get a life mwaumfwa? what makes you think she has to speak your meds and not hers? By the way if she had to strip naked in front of your big eyes you will be fuming like hynas sharing stolen meet ka, shaaa
I am a woman so seeing Mushota naked would make me puke my guts. She Mushota should not comment on things she has no knowledge of! Stop defending indefensives!
Lamfras, how much is she paying you to protect her or is this another blog name for Mushota?
Indeed ist such an awesome tragedy, he was a friend and Entertainer in every home, on every street and beyond. DL was a true-blood zambian we should never forget. I propose “Dennis Liwewe Lounge” instead of VIP Lounge at HEROES STADIUM, near his Boys and friends, that ALL ZAMBIAN Team we will yearn for till kingdom come…
Iwe mushota….uliwakwisa? You are always offside…nishaniiiiiii? Its like walibelela kulailanfya fye? Awe ula beka sana!! Dennis is giant amongest giants……a great indeed!
GONE WITH YOUR UNMISTAKABLE VOICE! AGAINST THE DREADED CONGO ZAIRE (ZAIRWA), WE WOULD HEAR YOU SAY, “WE ARE UNDER SIEGE BWANA! WE CLEAR IT BUT ONLY JUST AND THE ZAIRWAS COME AGAIN THROUGH KAZADI TO MUKOMBO TO MAYANGA TO NDAYE TO KIDUMU WHO DELAYS IT ABIT BUT HE FINDS LOBILO WHOSE THROUGH BALL FINDS KAKOKO AND WE ARE IN MANINGI TOUBLE HERE BUT SWEPT AWAY BY JAN SIMULAMBO FROM NO WHERE! JANI, i WILL GIVE YOU MY NIECE FREE OF CHARGE! HOW WELL YOU USED TO PRONOUNCE NICK NAMES LIKE “UCAR”, “MASTER DRIBBLER”‘ “TOOLS AND HARDWARE”! ONE OF THE LAST WORDS YOU SAID ON TV ABOUT THE GARBON VICTIMS WAS THAT YOU WOULD MEET THEM WHERE EVER THEY WENT – VERY HEART BREAKING AND EMOTIONAL WORDS. IF INDEED YOU HAVE NOW MET THEM, PLEASE TELL THE BOYS FOR US HOW WE MOURNED THEM. BYE, BYE, DENNIS – GO,…
Very touching bro!
Sobbing softly in my office chair! Go well Dennis Liwewe, we are mourning you too!
Rupiah Bwezani Banda,a Zambian statesman paying tribute to a Zambian cultural icon.Both of you are inspirational in a manner that transcends borders unlike PF thugs in govt who are avoided in the region.
Nubian Princess; there are many ways people can contribute to their country. We don’t have to be politicians or run an NGO to have a mark on our communities/countries. Some contribute through devotion to sports and arts. The late Liwewe (MHSRIP) devoted his time and energy to the Zambian football. I was personally inspired by his commentaries to start following football when i was a young boy living in Zambia. I am sure there are many others like who feel that Mr Liwewe had a role in inspiring even the great soccer players zambia has ever produced. Mr Liwewe did his job with honor and dignity. He will forever be one of Zambia’s sports icons.
Nubian Princess; there are many ways people can contribute to their country. We don’t have to be politicians or run an NGO to have a mark on our communities/countries. Some contribute through devotion to sports and arts. The late Liwewe (MHSRIP) devoted his time and energy to Zambian football. I was personally inspired by his commentaries to start following football when i was a young boy living in Zambia. I am sure there are many others like me who feel that Mr Liwewe had a role in inspiring even the great soccer players zambia has ever produced. Mr Liwewe did his job with honor and dignity. He will forever be one of Zambia’s sports icons.
I really couldn’t get some sleep, reminiscing as I read almost every comment from Zambians. This man was really a legend in his own right.
I never knew some English as a village kid but I understood perfectly Dennis’s English commentary: “in our zoneria” (I knew exactly which part of the field the ball was).
I just hope he was treated nicely by the govt officials in his later days, like giving him diplomatic passport, free tickets to all the Zambian games, all expenses paid for. These are the true heroes who deserve being worshipped because of the incredible amount of services he rendered to his country.
I could argue with confidence that no one knew the fibre, the bread and butter of Zambia football (at least in the late 80?s and early 90?s) better than this man, no one.
He was the reason uncle Chris (RIP) sent me to run 1 hr to the Boma to go and buy 4 ‘Ever Ready’ batteries (ma mbatili). Dennis is the only reason uncle Chris convinced me to take a bath; do my homework and do house chores. Oh Mr Liwewe, man you have no idea how much influence you had on my upbringing… May Your Soul Rest In Eternal Peace!
Anyone remember any commercials that followed just after Zambia scored and before Dennis re-joined on the other side? I recall “new londe ku Matero, number 1 mu Lusaka’. LOL
Anyone with recorded copy of a Zambia game, could you please upload somewhere online (You_Tube or somewhere), thanks.
He has died less than a week before the Gabon heroes’memorial lets bury him at the same site on the 28th April if all things be equal.
Very sad indeed for the demise of the legend football commentator. He popularized the football commentary in Zambia and beyond. Not only that he was famous in the Future Search that has helped a number of retirees to be involved in some practical activities to sustain their living. Mr Liwewe will be remembers in this and many more. Our comfort is that this is a route that each one of us one day will go through. MHSRIEP
“….bye bye alex (tears), bye bye godfrey (tears). Go…Go….Go….we’ll meet (tears)….On those shattered legs we’ll go to the world cup and win the africa cup in tunisia…We DON’T give up in Zambia…”
Indeed God made sure we got the Afcon 2012 just from where our beloved brothers skillful yet shattered legs lay -Gabon.
RIP Dennis liwewe.
The man made the country watch football on radio 2!!!
Oooohhh!!!!! What a terrible mistake by the Zambian defense, We are “maningi” in trouble here, they have scooored!!!!!!!! unbelievable circumstances indeed. The boys are protesting!!! Old good days in m’tendere compound as we gathered around a two band radio listening to his football commentaries. Rest in Peace old man.
Rest in peace Dennis Liwewe only they who have been born in these times of plenty TVs will not understand what you were for the country you brought the game live in our living rooms when watching a football match on TV was impossible you made me a supporter of Ndola United in 1980 when i was young and i have always been what you have done will never be erased how would we have followed football in this country those days without you.RIP.
Indeed, from my village in chama I could ‘see’ independence stadium, though never been to Lusaka that time, because of DL’s description of where the ball was on the filed…., he could go like,,, Here comes Chabala, rolling the ball on ground, picking it up, throws to Whiteson Changwe, to Ashios Melu, looking for Luck Msiska. Turns round 360 degrees to Charles Musonda, to Debby Makinka, they take the ball away, but only temporarilly. This is Kalu, looking for Stone Nyirenda, back to Kalu… a foul; by Muhammad. Free kick just at the edge of the penault area. Come boys lets gooooooo, kalu, kalu, kalu. Its a gooal… and we could no longer hear his voice as it was swallowed by the noise in the staduium… and then advert… We shall win… by Zambia Breweries.. Those were the days!RIP…
Mushota that’s a personal msg of condolences if u don’t have any clue better zip ut. RIP Liwewe.
I would suggest that we bury Denis at Independence Stadium where the 1993 Gabon Heroes were buried. Remember in he said” we will meet whereever you are, we will definitely meet.” It will be an honour to bury him at Independence.
Mushota try to shut your mouth when you dont understand the topic. Dennis Lewewe is a ledendary football commentator. He was live on radio every weekend in the 70’s, 80’s and 90’s when you were still a bubble in oldman ballbug (itole)
R I P Dennis
The tributes above and I hope many more to come do reflect the life a man that was dearly loved by all soccer loving people in Zambia.
It would be great if someone somewhere maybe FAZ could setup a book of his most used descriptive words like ‘He shoots it high up in the sky like a Mig 25 Jet fighter’…
Dennis,RIP.
You saw Zambia lift the Africa Cup but left before they could qualify to the world cup.
Your demise could be used as motivation for the boys to soar higher!Viva Liwewe,Viva KK11!!Broken hearts,,,