Friday, March 29, 2024

The body of President Mwanawasa arrives in country

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The body of the late President Levy Mwanawasa, who died on Tuesday at Percy Military Hospital in Paris, France has arrived in the country.

A huge French Airforce plane carrying President Mwanawasa’s body touched down at Lusaka International Airport at 08:55 hours and was escorted by three Zambia Airforce jets.

Fifteen minutes earlier, the presidential challenger plane, which was carrying relatives of the late Dr Mwanawasa, landed signifying that the French plane carrying the late President was on its way.

First Lady Maureen Mwanawasa, some family members, Foreign Affairs Minister Kabinga Pande, Gender Minister Patricia Mulasikwanda and Sports Minister Gabriel Namulambe accompanied the body of the late Dr Mwanawasa from France to Lusaka.

Immediately the plane touched down, a sombre mood gripped the airport grounds as hundreds of mourners broke into wailing.

The Baptist Church and Movement for Multi Party Democracy women choirs sang solemn songs.

Acting President Rupiah Banda, Chief Justice Ernest Sakala, Speaker of the National Assembly Amusaa Mwanamwambwaa and service chiefs were at hand to receive the body of the late Head of State.

Upon arrival, pall bearers comprising personnel from all defence forces took position near the plane in readiness to carry the late President’s casket, which was draped in the Zambian flag, to the saluting dias.

With a slow march, the pall bearers carried the casket to the saluting dias after which the national anthem was sang and the 21 gun salute performed simultaneously. The fly past was also conducted with three jets.

Immediately after the national anthem and the 21 gun salute, the Zambia Army Brass Band solemnly played Rock of Ages song.

The casket was then carried by pall bearers to the Gun carriage where it was placed in readiness to be taken to Mulungushi International Conference Centre.

Mulungushi Conference Centre is where the body of the late Dr Mwanawasa will lie-in State.

The Presidential motorcade led the way, followed by the military VIP convoy.

The convoy moved slowly on its way to Mulungushi Conference Centre as solemn Lusaka residents lined up to witness the funeral procession.

Zambian flags and posters of the late President were mounted on the road leading to the Airport.

The body will lie in State at Mulungushi Conference Centre starting today (Saturday)until Monday morning after which it will be taken to all the nine Provincial Centres of the country.

On Friday, the body will be taken back to Mulungushi to lie in State until September 1.

On Tuesday, September 2nd, the body will be taken to State House where it will lie in State in readiness for burial the following day at his Palabana farm.

The late Dr Mwanawasa died after he suffered a stroke. He fell ill on June 29th 2008 while attending the African Union Heads of State and Government Summit in Egypt.

193 COMMENTS

  1. It is indeed sad that our President is dead. For the first time since it happened I finally cried today not for Maureen but for Levy becoz he was a good man in his own right.

    I was however disappointed with Caristo over his interview with the crew of the French plane. I think it was totally unnecessary and just showed his stupidity. How were those men supposed to know what Maureen was feeling??? Poor Reporting

  2. Levy was agreat president.God gave us and he has allowed for him to go.Glory be to GOD.We pray for another good Commander -in -Chief

  3. He was asking the crew how the found out about Levy’s death and the captain said he read in the newspapers last week that the president of Zambia had died and then he was called to do this asignment yesterday morning. Caristo then asked whether the process of flying the dead president was easy or no and also if the can tell the nation what Maureen was feeling during the flight and all that

  4. Farewell dear president. It is really a sad expirience for mother Zambia. am really sadden by your death. May the almighty God receive your spirit. You were good in your own ways. Goodbye Levy

  5. As much as i symphathyse with the loss of our dear president,I feel we should not waste money unneccesarily:why escort the body?why taking the body around the country?Lets use this money on Hungry people in the southern province.

  6. I was at the airport (runway) although never a fan of LPM, I was touched with the whole event. Sata, HH, Nevers, KK,Ngondo, Chirwa, Miyanda, Katele (looked untidy and roughly dressed for some reason) were present. I did not notice Chiluba.I noted howvever that family members (relatives to LPM) were not included into the front line and were mourning/wailing at one end (in the backround) and later boarded two buses and whisked into the convoy. I wud wish they are availed attention. Sad was also some people sobing along the great east road (mostly in MMD attire)..they could be section leaders. The last time I saw such a crowd along the great east road was when bodies of the Gabon victims arrivd

  7. The Greatman is no more. HISRIEP. Now to all of you the mpombo’s & Mulongoti’s, you were riding on Levi’s popularity. Its time to find you own marks. Cant wait to see how you will fare in the absence of Levy

  8. Today everything was smooth becoz the ARMY was in charge.bravo Zambia Army.Maureen shd stop misbehavin.i think Caristo Chitamfya anakulila kumunzi how do u ask such questns 2 french pilots i felt embarasd as a Zedian

  9. Levy, you have set a very good record which Zambians must only improve upon. We are not going back, to thievery days ever. People are seeing progress for the first time. Let mourn Levy in piece then later make prudent leadership choices.
    May LPM rest in the eternal peace of the Lord.

  10. MAY THE ALMIGHTY GOD TAKE CARE OF OUR BELOVED PRESIDENT LEVY PATRICK MWANAWASA SC’S SOUL AND MAY HIS FAMILY ALSO BE STRENGTHENED AT THIS MOMENT AS THEY ARE GOING THROUGH THIS TRYING PERIOD.MAY THE ALMIGHTY GOD ALSO TAKE CARE OF THE ZAMBIAN PEOPLE AS WE MOURN OUR LATE PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF ZAMBIA.MHSRIEP

    SICHONE DAVID RICHARD-MONROVIA-LIBERIA

  11. Thanks to everyone on the ground updating us on what exactly is going on i have a silly friend back in zambia everytime i ask him about what is going on he say” bushe twalelila nankwe” sure this is a former late head of state such attitude should not be allowed.

  12. It is truly a sad occasion. It must have been quite emotional at the airport. It’s good to hear that the key political players were present. I didn’t know that the body will be taken around the country. When is the burial taking place?

  13. #18. You are so stupid. This is not the time for dirt jokes or dirty comments. Lets mourn our leader with the respect he deserves.

  14. I THINK TAKING THE BODY THROUNGH ALL THE NINE PROVINCIAL HEADQUOTAS WILL NOT MOUNT UP TO ANYTHING GOOD THAN DEAT AND HEAHECS IN SOME PEOPLE WHO MIGHT DIE IN THE COURSE. IT,S AS WELL COSTLY. NOT FORGETTING WE WILL BE HAVING BY-ELECTION SOON. JUST BURY ALL THE EXPENSES WILL PASSEDS ON TO ZAMBIANS.. I ACCEPT THE MAN WAS GOOD AND LEADER FOR THAT MATTER. BUT HE IS GONE AND WE CANNOT BRING HIM BACK AT ANY COST AND NO AMOUNT GOOD TODAY CAN CHANGE ANYTHING. SORRY IF YOU NEVER APPRECIATED HIM WHEN HE WAS ALIVE.

    JUST KEEP THE MONEY, WE NEED IT FOR HOSPITALS AND SCHOOLS.

  15. This is touching indeed. I was one of Mwanawasa’s critic but i am now feeling heavy loss. Its true when they say ”WE NEVER MISS THE WATER TILL THE WELL RUNS DRY”. MHSRIP.

  16. #21. Its at his farm in Palabana near Chongwe. I heard on radio phenix that he left a will that he should be buried there.

  17. What a sad period for mother Zambia. #10 I do agree with you that we don’t have to waste money during this period, however this to me is much of spending rather than wasting especially that LPM died will carrying out national duty and that that not all of us can make it to Lusaka.
    ay the good Lord comfort his family and us all as we mourn.

  18. AT THIS MOMENT TEARS WILL DRY AFTER SOMETIME,BUT BE REST ASSURED THAT NO MATTER WHATEVER SITUATION I WILL BE IN,THE MEMORIES ABOUT MY PRESIDENT WILL NEVER LEAVE MY BRAIN TILL IN MY GRAVE.HE HAS ALSO REMINDED ME OF THE DEATH OF MY BELOVED LATE WIFE OF MINE WHO I LOVED SO MUCH.DEATH IS FUNNY AT TIMES COZ IT COMES WHEN YOU DON’T EXPECT IT.MHSRIEP

    MONROVIA-LIBERIA

  19. #19, I did not fully listen to what caristo was asking but basically they were very maiden questions like how was this flight different from other flights, what is the difference between flying a dead president and living one? such stupid questions, anyway to dispell any ruomour Caristo is just as fresh as they are the guys that he was in compass with say he was coming to Lusaka for the fisrt time when he came to compus, I am not sure how true that is. Secondly he is among very few people that display their qualifications in the office the way people display trading licences.

  20. Lets remeber that the people that really believed in him are in the provinces far away they are the ones that made it possible for him to continue what he started so you people in Lusaka and copperbelt people in rural areas are just as important as you are. He went to campain there and it won him the presidential term so why should they not HAVE THE CHANCE TO PAY THERE RESPECT. To whoever drw up the programme even i am far from zambia thank you for giving people in the places that had faith in the Late President a chance to bid farewell

  21. #1 only LPM could ask GOD to forgive him. No person can ask for forgiveness on behalf of another. LPM will be judged based on his account while still living. If his last account is dirty you cant clean it up for him. Lets pray for the living as for the dead we just wish them the best as they face their creator. We will all die anyway and ultimately,whether your funeral is flamed with splendour or is of no event and burried in a reed mat, the destination is one. Perharps thats good reason to focus on the living and keep the expenses to a minimum. A funeral is not an investment and I find the idea of taking LPM’s body round the country rather sad.

  22. #31 what chance are you talking about. You think ordinary people will even be allowed to go any nearer to the casket? Its the MMD big candres that will be allowed. I honestly dont understand the importance of paying that respect. Take a leaf from the moslems and bury as soon as possible

  23. Levy, it’s like a dream. Although we made fun of you yet you had our needs at heart. It’s only in your passing away that we realise our great loss. Icalo ubusuma echo washila ba pompwe. We’ll soldier on with your good deeds. You were an encouragement. Til we meet in glory land. 4m ESK

  24. #32, there was a headline about the fact that
    our president is going to provincial capitals, just read some of the comments of how Lusakans are so selfish

  25. #33, you can trust caristo with his street french, you see I know caristo is not the subject but the gentleman has some serious issues with himself.

  26. Which Zambian site has updated information where we can see the casket of our president’s body after arrival. All sites has outdated information. Lets be serious in Zambia. We pay TV license and ZNBC can’t even update the site.

  27. Caristo, is a villager through and through. I like him though because he loves his job and proud of what he does and his petty qualifications. He is the first in his family.. Kaunda policies at its best.
    Reality has seized me, and sad that LPM is no more. i enjoyed criticizing him, but was proud of his achievement. He has again proved me right that, his humbleness is abused by selfish bums in the MMD.
    May Your Sould rest in peace my President.
    HK

  28. #1 you can’t pray to God to forgive Levy’s sins, if he did not repent when he was alive then too late for his sins to be forgiven.This is why you should accept Jesus christ as your personal saviour while you are still living, Jesus died for everybody just open your heart to confess your sins and accept him now if you have not!!

  29. Caristo thought a plane is a car or a small bus and air crew members are drivers and conducters. Find time to fly this poor journalst and teach him the role of crew members. Some of them dont even know what they were carrying and whether the presdent had died or not. Fogive MR Chitamfya. He is used to puddling canoes in Luapula. May LPM`s body rest in peace and never wonder about foerver.

  30. Coz of Caristo’s stupid line of questioning the whole world came to knw that Levy actually died last week as revealed by the French flight crew. This world is indeed funny!!!

  31. I was touched upon seeing the plane touching the ground. I saw it on TV though. MHSRIEP.
    At Mulungushi, as I heard someone saying saying LPM was nurturing someone to follow in his foot prints. Who could it be? Ba Mwiinga nomukala mu Lusaka more info please.

  32. Today is sutarday to some a new week just started Lp had a problem on sunday stop confusing people or trying to create a debate that is not there at the moment.

  33. Caristo is indeed a villager. The problem with vilagers is that they try to outsmart the pipo they found in Towns & Cities, but they always look stupid in the end. With his masters from Manchester University, how dare he asks such questions. Not even a kaponya can ask such questions

  34. Google “Levey Mwanawasa”. At least I have found one photo showing late mwanawasa’s body being carrie.

  35. Leave Caristo alone, that’s called investigative journalism. What if his family were busy drinking and celebrating while on the way, wouldn’t you want to know as grieving Zambians.

    There’s a reason why VIP drivers and Pilots sign an oath to secrecy. They dropped the ball by not having the French govt muzzle the crew’s mouths. Good commentry Caristo!

  36. Its difficult to forgive small brained chaps like Caristo. He should learn to humble himself and apologise for asking stupid questions at a wrong time anmd place. Why not keep quiete if you have nothing to ask. Any way the chap has learnt something and will never misbehave again. Poor journalist KAPUBA WE.

  37. president Mwanawasa has gone just like that. i’m deeply disappointed with caristo from ZNBC how on earth can a qualified journalist act in the manner you did. ZNBC look for good journalists from these small media organizations other that staffer of yours who pretend to be intellegent you are an embarrasment to zed people

  38. I have never mourned somebody this way. Somebody please upload a picture or something, even on youtube if thats what it takes. (Awe nayo amasambilio limo yabi, I should have gone to Mulungushi Uni). I keep thinking it is a dream, maybe when I see mourners like you at the airport or something it will truly register. Thanks for the good job guys, I somehow get the ‘picture’.

  39. Nothing wrong with what Caristo asked. Its small things that sometimes counts. His questions wre all said bravo to him. So, please dont call him names. He was just too brave. Maybe some of you just have personal issues with him. Musebenza pamodzi in that profession!!

  40. (#57 repeated)Nothing wrong with what Caristo asked. Its small things that sometimes counts. His questions wre too probing. Bravo to him! So, please dont call him names. He was just too brave. Maybe some of you just have personal issues with him. Musebenza pamodzi in that profession!!

  41. The Zambian kwacha has been struck a left upercut, and is currently unstready on its feet. Only the bell after 90 days will we know if the kwacha will continue. But it seems the spectators together with investors are ready to throw in the towel. The opposite corner are sensing victroy and the judges who sit in parliment now looking on like vaultures.
    All illigos now is the time to buy a plot. If you wait you be asked to pay 230 Milli/hector in lusakas makeni.

  42. He is gone. what next. We should think seriously about the successor.No family tree proposals and no one should make a suggestion. The law should take its course. No one should think of some names because LPM had no capacity to appoint a successor save the family tree which has now withered. He was given the job by appoitment and we doubted him at first but now we want someone who will pull through due to his capcity and will of the people. I disliked the man at first but ended up loving him and the same may happen this time around. Who ever we shall chose he will do the job as long as there is strengh in the institution of governance. MHSRIP.

  43. What crime has Caristo committed, none. He’s a jounalist and hes got every right to ask any question on behalf of us who wanted to know when LPM actually died. Nothing wrong to be honest.

  44. This is sad news indeed to lose a great leader he was. We mourn him with all the due respect he deserve. We further pray for continuity in the good policies that he showed for the mother Zambia. Indeed he had the country at heart. MHSRIP

  45. ZNBC should causion Caristo. The question “how does it feel to fly a dead presented than the living one” was un called for. All the guys supporting him must have gone to backyard jounalism schools. What answer was he looking for. Did he want the Pilot to say, it feels geat th fly a dead president. The question sounds more like a kindergarten stuff. Ala pa ZED twalikwata ifipuba

  46. zambian in sidney,u r stupid,am talking of experience,only party cadres will be allowed near the casket,u dont deserve to be there and continue cleaning white peoples bum,u traitor

  47. #64 you can insult me all you want, but I stand by what I first said here on #50. Caristo is a journalist and is not part of the govt. team who were busy feeding you with false “stable” feedbacks. Sorry if he hurt your feelings but get over it.

    I again I stand by my statement, Caristo did nothing wrong. If you want lodge a complaint with the french not the media. It’s like attacking the ZNBC journalist who was invited by Chiluba to film the State House tunnels and not going after the real culprit, Chiluba!

  48. I have kept my tears to myself as my partner would not understand and only think otherwise. You you have had the opportunity of knowing someone who has worked with the late and they have helped you out before your tears can be misunderstood

  49. Thanks #48, I just saw that picture. Its so hard. Reading the orbituary further just makes one see how he indeed even in his death has shown his integrity. It says “He proved he was no puppet….” Indeed he was not and yet we all thought he would be (remote controlled we said). When he didn’t, we still didn’t acknowledge that fact. Kwena, let us learn a thing or two in his death. Abali namatwi nabomfwe. He indeed was great!

  50. We were watching the arrival of our beloved president’s body,and so dissapointed by the way Dear Caristo conducted the interview with the french pilots..we actually called ZNBC to complain(not only about Caristo but the whole crew)…so #50 Dante you are as thick headed as caristo chitamfya

  51. Please LT, add a picture. I’m so overwhelmed with grief.

    I pay tribute to fellow bloggers for the infor, and variety of persepective you’ve provided on the late presdo’s illness and death, both negative and positive, and of course the many other issues you comment on. Patriotism, which is core in every nation’s achievements starts from such mundane actions.

    Special thanks to ba Mwiinga, Lusaka, Zambia.

    MYSRIP Levy Patrick Mwanawasa SC.

  52. #72. Dante
    The junalist did nothing wrong but was asking stupid questions.
    ” whats the difference between fying a dead body and a live body ?” and you don’t find that type of question stupid ?

    # 66. Mirriam., it had to be a woman asking about fashion on this somber day.

  53. ##10…It’s called protocol twat!! Some comments should be kept for the benefit of your feeble minds. Everything, even in moments like this you politicise everything. The Humane thing to do is grieve. If you can’t handle that then ‘butt out’ and go somewhere. Unfortunately whether you liked LPM or not, he was President to all Zambians. Give the respect he derseves as a human being atleast. What have you got to lose? It might be you tommorrow. Talk and listen to yourself before you post something on here, TWAT!!!

  54. May his soul find eternal peace under the shadow of The Almighty. Only He who sees our works in secret shall reward Him for all that he did for Zambia. It is rather strange to follow these events online but we have no other access, so please bloggers, let’s remember that this site is still a mourning place and respect ourselves in our talk.

  55. #82 shushushu,am a dude and i wanted to see what maureen was dressed in,where is you humour man…laugh a little,Mirriam is jus trying to cheer us up

  56. The picture is on BBC. Pity we can upload pictures, i would sent them here, I have access to Reuters.

  57. Levy has cost us more in his death than alive! I wonder how that could be possible. Someone like MMD cadres must be pinching from the state coffers.
    ‘When the centre can not hold…things fall apart’

  58. Ba caristo,i think fishing is what you can do best,go back to mansa please,are you still not acquainted with interviewing whites,what where you trying to get from those pilots who were designated just to fly the body.To them it was just a mere duty,how do you expect them to have the same emotional feeling like zambians,foolish embicel.LPM REST IN PEACE ,your death has confused us to an extent we cant think when interviewing people

  59. #66. Mirriam: ba mirriam sure out of all things mwaya ipushapo fya what she was wearing.Dont you have any thing to ask.You are the same people bahaving like that boy Caristo.

  60. This is a very sad day for Zambia. Excuse Caristo I think he is just as shocked as all of us. It must be very hard to cover a story in such emotional times. I can just imagine what Maureen and the children are going thru, losing a loved one is a very hard thing. May God carry them thru this trying time, tears will dry but the pain in the heart gets worse with every day that passes by.

  61. zaza from south africa who said mwanawasa was dead must be arrested for alarming the situation wen mwanawasa was not even dead

  62. #75 get real how can you show integrity in your death. I am sure you know that when you are dead its the people having authoruty over your body who give you a particular look. They can dress you in any thing, they can decide to burry you immediatey or indeed to take you on a national tour before they decide when to burry you. There is no way you can show anything. Even the eye lids for most people are closed down by those present when they die. The fact is he is dead and will not be burried in a different type of soil than any other common man will go to. Its sad but lets not overexagerate the all thing

  63. #66 mirriam ndiwe Mbuzi,how do you ask such a stupid question,is it necessary,what has that to do with mourning.You must be a very stupid woman so obessed with dressing regardless of the circumstance people are in.You are a shallow minded,a reprobate to society,probably an insane person

  64. ZAZA carefull care i know something you dont especially that you are not the real ZAZA use another name that name cozed panick in the country way befor LP died not a good idea

  65. Mirriam mulekeni alipena. She is a an embarrasment to the women folk. She is looking for a speck to hammer Maureen ignoring a log in her eye. Namajelasi pa time yaifi Mirriam.

  66. ##50.. I am not having a go but do not justify Chitamfyas action in the name of Investigative Journalism. Point of correction, Caristo was caught in moment…call it a frenzy. Under such circumstances some people come out with trash as you have seen some posts here. However, there is no standandised criteria of showing emotion. Some people drink and celebrate someone’s life. Other people weep and seek to be seen doing so. Bottom line, as human beings we grieve in different ways. LPM is ws to most Zambians but not everyone feels the sameway. Unfortunately thats just how it is!!

  67. Watinya Uchipo naleka na joyina Anonymous kanshi. This is my new name. Anonymous the Original i also miss ka Mulongoti’s childish bootlicking strategies. Especially the way he was defending the salary increment. The chap is a dramatist.

  68. Imwee Caristo alitumpa the Guy has finished all the women at Znbc. Romour has it that even the late mwanawaswa kalemwafwa kuli bana chipo. All those questions he was asking the pilot was just on maureen since they lovers.

  69. #82, I honestly dont find that particular question to be stupid. I have seen young medical students faintin with fear upon entering the mortuary or even vomiting when nothing is smelling because they have been asked to unover the cadava(corpse). Some people have reported having their hair erect when they cross through the grave yard. Perharps you should look at it from that contest. Where as some people may not feel anything some people, and indeed maybe the pilot, felt something. Or he felt honoured or humiliated. So I think Caristo was within his senses and know about other questions

  70. Government of Zambia please learn that a president must make their funeral plans before they die so there is no debate on how things are to be handled at the time. Here in the USA presidents plan their own funerals way ahead. It may not be Zambian but Mwanawasa’s death has left us very divided on how we should to honour his death.
    Maureen and family may the peace of God that passes all understanding help you during this time.

  71. It may just turn out to be true that LPM died much earlier than announced soon..so take it easy and leave Zaza alone. The events towards to his death are as suspicious as the status announcements.
    MHSRIP.. Ba Levy Bamichusa WE..Finshi mwalufyanya..Parading you like a criminal in name of honoring you.

  72. #111 I agree infact we should all try to make our funeral plans. I am just wondering what could have happened if he had donated his body for medical research. There could have been law suits to undo it or simply to ignore it. I doubt that LPM would have subscribed to height his funeral is taken and the associated expenses

  73. Those people passing silly comments about moureen, please leave her alone. At this point of time, she is mourning. Why do behave like heartless people? Remember! Tomorrow, it might be you. Let us show love and sympathise with her at this point of time even if Some you don´t like her. You are trying to bahave like MUGABE.

  74. #111 I agree infact we should all try to make our funeral plans. I am just wondering what could have happened if he had donated his body for medical research. There could have been law suits to undo it or simply to ignore it. I doubt that LPM would have subscribed to height his funeral is taken and the associated expenses. With all due respec I sympathise with the family considering what they have gone through and then the long wait before burrial. It can be torcher.

  75. zaza good point,am coming back to SA to rediscover my talent at supersport united so watch me,any way MMD is winning cos the opposition and at a disadvantage,LPM was popular and voters will be told to vote for MMD to continue were LPM left,

  76. Umuntu Mutwe do not be scared fil free to express yourself but just keep in mind that certain names and coment are just not allowed at the moment for example if i said something negative and called myself Mugabe what would you think?????

  77. Like everyone else, President’s decide on how they would want there remains to be dealt with when dead!! How ever, planning for the presidential funeral is the job of the govt. while bearing in mind the wishes of the dead and meeting family expections. LPM was not a regular guy like most of us, he was for godsake the President of Zambia. Planning for a funeral….what nonsense!! Govt. will grant his wishes in death as President hence, the State funeral!! Whether LPM saved for his funeral or not, whether you like it or not those of us that pay taxes will foot the bill. In your case, you should start saving for your funeral like me, NOW!!

  78. PSALM 23: 4

    YEA, THOUGH I WALK THROUGH THE VALLEY OF THE SHADOW OF DEATH,
    I WILL FEAR NO EVEL;
    FOR YOU ARE WITH ME;
    YOUR ROD AND YOUR STAFF, THEY COMFORT ME

    + + +

    MAY LEVY MWANAWASA’S SOUL REST IN PEACE.

    THANK YOU FOR YOUR SACRIFICE FOR OUR COUNTRY, ZAMBIA.

    NORWAY

  79. I am loss of words. God has his own way of dealing with situations. If only God could do like he did to the ruler’s daughter… Those nice words still ring in my mind quoting from Luke 8: 54 in the New International Version ” My Child, get up!” and that was all the dead daughter of a Jairus came back to life.

    We cannot question God as to why He cannot do that to our President as well. He knows why it must happen this way. I am really at pain. Dr Mwanawasa was really a good man. For the first time Zambia’s economy was improving and corrupts individual would not find it is. Tears will indeed dry by the pain will forever remain fresh.

  80. Lusaka Times we appreciate you all the news you feed us and i know you do all this for free but i would appreciate more if could add some photos of this important event.I have noticed that on the photos your photo archives need to be improved on otherwise well done..

    May the the soul of LPM rest in peace.

  81. #117 Ba Matildah Icisungu sister. Chances are you are outside Zed. This is the reason I keep my children away from these sites. Chill!

  82. Mwanawasa, what kind of person were you? A person of his own class. Starting with a lot of enemies and opposition but ending with a lot of friends. Mwanawasa did the extra ordinary. He touched the untouchables and forgave the unforgivable. He was a true son of the soil. We will mourn and mourn and mourn but it will not easily go off our minds.

    May his soul rest in eternal peace. At least he showed us the way to live even with our enemies. He really understood it well, when the bible says “when your enemy is hungry, give him food and when he is thirsty give him water to drink”. It is really a challenge to us the living. Mwanawasa just proved to us that it could be implemented.

  83. #117 matilda we know u r a party cadre who is always dancin at the airport after been paid kapenta and beens

  84. ##118 I totally agree with you. Hypothetically, I wonder if the state would even let us know if he had wished so. I bet it would bring up a huge debate. What do you think?

  85. Now that we have even seen the casket carrying the gallant son of the soil, the true son of Africa and mother Zambia who really dedicated his life for sake of improving the welfare of humanity, some vultures and opportunities who thrive on filth and corruption are beginning to position themselves strategically so that they can engage the Country into an accelerating reverse gear. Such are characters who are well know to be satanist and are known for using laptops from the devil, others are even trying to push for electoral pacts with the clean people so that they appear clean.

  86. Well come home Mr President.This is were you where born and bred,this is your land Mr Levy Patrick Mwanawasa.You are an exceptional leader,you have planted the seed of goodness on your land and first good president to lie in its soil and for this you will bring up more who will zealously carry your path.What can we find to say now,i think if we were men,if men we are at all,we swear that with our two legs firmly established on this earth of God,we shall nolonger look at what is best for us but what is best for mother Zambia.We now understand than never before that people become beggers because they want to be beggers.May your soul rest in God hands through his son Jesus Christ.

  87. It will be up to Zambians to either rejects such characters who are on record of pledging to stop the prosecution of corrupt individuals and save the country from going back to those days when we had Presidents who went to state house with selfish motives. Those who went into state house to break other people’s marriages and specialised on buying expensive designer suits at the expense of the Zambian people. This is indeed a testing moment to see whether Zambian now know what is good for them.

  88. hey guz, lets stick to english… so we read properly, this venacular is way to hard for some of us…put your comments in english period……

  89. levy rest in peace!!! it was foolish for caristo to ask such questions,those guys were just on job and have not emotions attached!!!!

  90. Refer to #68. If it is true that is the question Karisto asked the Pilot, then Karisto needs to have his head re-Examined. Ver sad indeed

  91. ching chua, that was typing error. Think of something better to comment about. Elo my dear, i live in lusaka. I do not believe in living abroad.

  92. I’ve never known Caristo to be a villager – though his dressing is suggestive of that. Please enlighten me fellow bloggers; what exactly did this brother do? What are the unprecedented questions that he asked?

  93. #117 Matilda my sister, I know you were hitting the key board hurriedly. But please try to audit your English – no offence. People wil start keeping their kids away from this blog. Are you based in Botswana or Rwanda?

  94. I only wish there could be a statue elected for you Mr Mwanawasa.It could save as a reminder of your deeds.At list when we pass by we shall tell a story about you.Strangers and those born today definetly will ask,who is this and then those of us who know will say he was once a vice president and resigned,he had an accident but lived,he become president and suffered two strokes the second one took him.Was he a good president?Yes he was and possibly the two strokes he suffered were as a result of stress tring to work for his people.During one of his rallies he even said it, the president himself,that he used to wake up around 02:00am to work for his country.How shall you then honour him?

  95. #122 do you what you are talking about or not. tell us your reference about all presidents planning regarding their remains. Do you have aproblem with the word plan or even planning? Search it or kee quiet. Read more about funeral plans before you post your next comment

  96. #143 Matilda kashi yandi dont say you dont believe in staying abroad, its a blue lie…You havent just had a chance to even study abroad bwamba bobe…

  97. The man was great and deserves respect.Gentlemen let’s be human beings.The country is going through this trying moment there for if you are not greived, you better keep quiet and leave the nation mourn our great leader and Father.May his soul rest in peace.

  98. What did Caristo Chitanfya do? I can’t follow this sh*t properly. Someone fill me in so I can contribute to ripping him if necessary.

  99. LPM you were indeed a great leader going by people who are mourning you. You did alot for mother Zambia Economy wise.
    MYSRIP

  100. Matildah in 117, I think people are very upset, Maureen had a bigger role to play when she is alleged to have forced the husband to go for the second term when she fully new that the doctors in london after the first stroke had advised him against it, so it is understandable, what you are telling people that are venting here is that it is okey to bewitch your spouse and then cry the loudest, if you have information to the contrary let us know, and accordingly people will be sympathetic. She used to share the same bed with the man and new how he was struggling with diabetes and hypertension, what we see could just be an endorsement of a long list of illnesses HE had to endure as President

  101. Fellow Zambians, I can imagine the surge of emotions and grief when the plane touched down at lusaka International Airport, I wish I was there I mean pa ZED. Even just to watch on ZNBC as there were limited pipo allowed to be at the airport at that point in time as reported. MHSRIP

  102. #78 thanks. #117 Matildah, I think what has annoyed people is that during the April 2006 stroke, it was recommended by the Doctors that LPM should consider taking a less stressful job, but it is alleged that the first lady who was sharing a bed with this man gave him conditions to continue. So what you are saying is that it is okey for someone to kill another and then expect people to sympathise with that one.

  103. I think his untimely death tells us that he was not the right man for the jod coz they woke him up from his sleep, in the bible paul talks about running a good race, putting up a good fight and then crossing the finishing line and lpm did not cross the finishing line, hence his timing was wrong and chiluba knew all this, that the man was not fit, so me personaly i feel that lpm was pushing someone`s dream.

  104. #101, ala so many things have been said about the death of our beloved President, many of which I may not agree and will definitely not call them an exageration because people mourn in so many ways. Maama aleti, uulelosha tabamutapa kukanwa ( something like you cannot go to a funeral and just watch how the widow is crying or saying as she mourns) If I feel ba Levy has shown me a thing or two, let me.

    #160 Lady in Oz, where abouts are you? Maybe you and I could link up and mourn together.

  105. Thanks to the French government for borrowing us an aeroplane. ATleast the body of our president flew back home with dignity. Bali twashimako indeke.

  106. #50,you are so ignorant,i guess just like caristo,investigative journerlism is not asking stupid,childish questions like that even if i did not hear one on one.
    any way we have always known caristo getting excited over nothing

  107. No 166 Technically when the President died so in the interim Big Smiler and his family are the Number one family. UNIP might be resurrected in the process!!!????????

  108. lads we’ve lost a leader and it will be very difficult to replace him. Could someone please tell me what this Vill ager Caristo Chintafya said to the french crew? He probably thought he will a gain a free entry visa to interview President Sarkozy and his beautiful wife Carla Bruni who he fancies unfortunately she does not do black.

  109. Afer seeing the coffin of our beloved late president LMP on BBC WEBSITE, I now realise that we have really lost a great man who really meant serious business serving our Mother Zambia, i now belive that we have been robbed off a good leader who always wanted to improve live’s of millions of zambias.Any way his departure is all GOD’s purpose. May his soul rest in peace.

  110. it is a very big loss for the country ,at the time we really needed him , north western province is what it is today because of this great man,lord jesus what happened?only you knows jesus, may his soul rest in peace,we will really miss him and may the lord be with as all in this painfull time.

  111. Iwe # 169, Mickey Mouse,

    Borrowing is the appropriate term here because i heard that we did not have to pay for it. Lending would mean otherwise….kanshi ninshi musambilila pa Disney world?

  112. big daddy get a life especially one with education when they said the hour has come they meant the time for things to change they didnt say they’ll rule during ‘the hour’…..why do yu call yourself big daddy any way i wud like to modify your name to small brains makes better sense!!!!!!!!!!

  113. ##127 Simply crazy!!! ##150 Please do not expose your ignorance by trying to come out smart i.e. Intelligent. There’s alot of intellect in what ##122 said. Unless you are simply daft or foolish to realise the ideal logic in ##122. Think about what you write before posting. Or if anything, go jump start your brains. Whats up with this idiocy…this is ‘soooo’ unzambian!!!

  114. Caristo is only human you guys. he dose not have the highest IQ… nor is he the best journalist.

    One thing for sure is that he aught to be kicking himself for the stupid question he asked if he is to improve his journalism. it was a stupid question

  115. #127… please do not use such harsh words for individuals who are… mentaly challenged. it is clear that #125 is… not as inteligent to articulate national issues! if we could give you a cents for your nonsence you would be a billionair!

    everyone apon gaining employment has conditions attached to their funeral… and the president its just a state funeral. so #125 yes we will just be poor or we shouldnt have put it in his conditions in the first place!

  116. Indeed,all our days are numbered but with this sudden death of a strong and brave comrade lives most of us in great pains which will never be forgetten.May his soul rest in peace

  117. it is vry sad dat Levy is gone.nw poor zimbabwean billionares cn luk 4wad 2 becoming even poorer quadrillionares.RIP Levy

  118. #179 you are an ***** and its utterly difficult for me to reason with you. I urge you like any other ignorant person to read more about the funeral plans. Having one doesnt mean that then you cut off your employers provisions you fool. LPM was president and therefore entitled to a state funeral as part of his conditions of service.No one is saying a president should be burried like you.Intelligent?Now you are the authority to ascertain who is intelligent and who is not?Its a pit.

  119. Words alone cannot fully translate the deeply rooted emotions that have gripped our nation on the loss of ba Levy.His passing away is a blow of proportions unknown to ordinary loss.MHSRIP

  120. I salute the late President Dr Levy P Mwanawasa SC for his reign brought prosperity to our great nation Zambia.

    May the Lord strengthen the First Lady as well as
    continue to guide our nation.

    MHSRIP

  121. #188 it seems your prayers re working. The widowed First Lady seems to have been strengthened enough to even gather enough courage to chase a mourner in the name of MICHAEL CHILUFYA SATA away from the mournig site in Chipata. Thats silly isnt it.

  122. Why do people who have gained from the M M D and 1st family hate mr sata? What wrong has he done that can not be forgiven?
    What type of life do they want to have?
    If you are one of those people who keeps on hating others out of hearing or feeling, then you not a christain.Surly you need to be born again.
    One thing you need to know is that God knows you better than anyboby els.He sees you and hears everything you have in your mind,hreat and soul.
    What comes out of you every time you see or hear any thing about mr sata?
    Be careful of what you say and hear about anyboby.Wacth and pray.

  123. Just a clarification guys. Mr Chitamfya is not a journalist. Those that are close to him say his qualifications are in Education at first degree and Masters too.

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