Thursday, March 28, 2024

Rupiah pays tribute to Zambians

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Acting President Rupiah Banda has paid glowing tribute to the Zambian people for their peacefulness and unity they exhibited during the funeral of late President Levy Mwanawasa.

Mr. Banda said Zambians accorded the late Dr. Mwanawasa a funeral and burial befitting a king.

He said the citizens demonstrated to the whole world their unity of purpose.

“Special tribute goes to the defence and security wings for a perfect execution of a programme of mourning that was incident free except for the enormous outpouring of emotion by all,” he said.

Mr. Banda said this in his address to the nation on the state of the nation on the Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation (ZNBC) television and radio Tuesday evening to mark the end of the 21 day national mourning for the late Republican President.

He further thanked Egypt and France governments respectively for their support during the illness of the late President.

“Let me thank the government and people of Egypt for the exceptional support rendered at the time our President fell ill. The people of Zambia and their government are grateful to President Mubarak and the Egyptian people,” he said.

He further extended his appreciation to the people and government of France for the support during the illness and subsequent death of Dr. Mwanawasa.

“The people of Zambia are grateful to President Sarkozy for paying the medical bills and providing transport and other logistics of honour such as transporting the body of our late President to Zambia,” he said.

The acting President also thanked the Chinese government for dressing the burial site and providing an exceptional casket for the late Dr. Mwanawasa.

He also paid tribute to the international community, the local church leaders and their congregations for their spiritual, financial and material support during the late Dr. Mwanawasa’s funeral.

He said local church leaders did not only send messages of goodwill but also to God, an act he said that unified the country during the illness, death, national mourning and eventual burial of the late President.

“We are a peaceful country because we pray and believe in God,” he said, adding, “I ask our religious leaders to continue leading the country in prayer and faith because God has blessed our nation.”

Mr. Banda observed that the media played an important role in keeping the nation informed of during the state funeral.

“The various media organizations faithfully continued to conduct very well meaning programmes during the period of national mourning and allowed citizens to express themselves in a manner that was respectful and dignified,” he said.

Dr. Mwanawasa died at Percy Military hospital in France on August 19th, 2008 following a stroke he suffered on June 29th, 2008 while attending an African Union heads of state and government summit in Egypt.

The late President was buried on September 3rd, 2008 at Embassy Park in Lusaka after his body was taken to all provincial centers to accord thousands of Zambians chance to pay their last respects.

ZANIS/KSH/ENDS/MM.

35 COMMENTS

  1. And thank you Rupiah for exhibiting extraordinary leadership during the funeral of the late president Mwanawasa. The way you conducted yourself during the national mourning period was both exemplary and dignified.

  2. #1 Why can’t just keep quiet like others have done and not to lick boots. Ni bu bwana anikonde? RB said something important and you just have to understand and DON’T comment…

  3. #2, Keep quiet for what when someone has done a fantastic job? Just thanking the man for keeping the nation together and keeping the government running when things had turned ugly. If you ain’t got anything to say, just STFU!

  4. #3. Just shut up. # 2 is correct. You are just a job seeker. If u think RB will win then u are mistaken. So many people have said sensible things whay don’t u comment. RB is finished just like you. If want a job, just forget.

  5. chaps it does not pay to be over critical,give positive attributes when needed.politics asside,RB needs to be recommended for keeping the nation together.vote or vote,give credits when they are due.viva copper bullets this afternoon.

  6. #1 (#3).Is that what you call extraordinary leadership?. did you see how he broke down in public when they started the prayers when news came that the president was stable. and did you see him when he was informing the nation that the president had died?..before he even opened his mouth you could guess what he was going to say. thats not the type of leadership we want. we want someone who is brave and face reality. not someone who cries in public like a woman!!!!

  7. we are tired of these old chaps, let them go back to the farms and give chance for the young ones. more especially Vj, Christone Tembo,RB and the likes. Rb made NAMBOARD to fall and he thinks we have forgoten, i will use by ballot to kick you out.

  8. Thanks RB you have shown good example and leadership during the National mourning to us the upcoming leaders.My request handover to the young leaders, your time has come to go and rest away from politics.

  9. ”The acting President also thanked the Chinese government for dressing the burial site and providing an exceptional casket for the late Dr. Mwanawasa.”

    This begs the question? WHAT DID WE THE ZAMBIAN DO APART FROM CRYING? I think it is time we stopped taking pride in making embarrasing statements about our helplessness. Surely, after 44 years of independepence we still needed a foreign govt. to prepare a burial site and provide a coffin for our late president! My foot!

  10. My vote and that of my banja will go to RB. We need to contuinity. Levy Choose RB and saw something in him which he did not see in others. Come on guys.

  11. #4 I think you are too shallow minded. Everyone has their right of opinion and so far I have not read anything against your opinion. Learn to be appreciative. I would suggest you go back to secondry school and learn more

  12. #12 I agree with you. People are busy criticising the chinese yet they are doing things that are so helpfull.Even people who did not have jobs to sustain themselves and their families in Zambia are now employed by the same chinese. If we really want to go against the chinese, then we better wake from slumber and do the things these chinese are doing. And if Sata comes into power and chases these people, many a people will be left jobless. Think before you write nonsence.

  13. This is not an attack on the Chinese. The question is why Zambian companies cannot be entrusted with basic national projects. Where is the capacity building?

  14. guys its amazing how some pipo hate others on political lines, why hate the old man RP what are gaining? we’re a christian nation man #2 & 4 are really disgusting coz even if you dont like RP suppose he becomes president are you going to leave zed as a result of that?be humane in your comments. dont mistake me am not a pro-MMD or a job-seeker no!!! am just a level-headed citizen of zed thats all.i wonder if you have friends and what you do to them when they wrong you or make a mistake coz you attitude is not christian at all.

  15. North Western province will vote for RB because we want contunity we dont want change of government as this will affect the development in the mining sector currently taking place in the province. RB expect 100% votes from NWP.
    Bumi

  16. Who ever comes can still continue with the same development, just like RB and this thing of thanking RB for this and that, what for, its him to thank us “U and I” for behaving so well the funeral of our late president. Is there anything to thank RB for? oh please. be wise. personally i will not get my vote. We are tired of paying huge taxes that RB and his followers are enjoying now.

  17. Who ever comes can still continue with the same development, just like RB and this thing of thanking RB for this and that, what for, its him to thank us “U and I” for behaving so well the funeral of our late president. Is there anything to thank RB for? oh please. be wise. personally he will not get my vote. We are tired of paying huge taxes that RB and his followers are enjoying now.

  18. Thank you Rupiah Banda you are indeed leader worth double honour you lead us well through very trying times ever known in the history of Zambia.God bless you RB.

  19. This is the kind of mentality that holds back Zambians. A Beautiful Mind just made a comment and someone had to shoot it down and call him/her a jobseeker. Certain Zambians cannot give credit where credit is due and always have to be wary . This is why progress is going to be so slow. And no, I’m not just saying this because I’m not in Zambia. I lived long enough in Zambia to know that people are not happy when others succeed or give praise to our own people. Do we honestly have to get praise from the west and out neighbours for conducting ourselves in an exemplary manner. When the acting president praises us, we think he has an alterior motive.

  20. #4 Ubuntungwa, just roll your tongue back in your mouth bcoz you have pea-sized brain like # 2! Come HELL OR HIGH WATER RB will be president you DOUCHEBAG! If you cannot believe dat i must add you must have an IQ of a MONKEY! And #8 a man crying in public DOES NOT make him A WOMAN or LESS OF A LEADER! When you were born, your father cried out of joy and when the Zambia national soccer team perished off the coast of Gabon, our then president Chiluba cried like a b*@h at Independence Stadium. Did that make him less brave or less of leader considering that they were rumours at the time that infact it was a missile that brought down the plane? I DONT THINK SO!

  21. I am befuddled by numbskulls who criticize other people for expressing their opinions. This is a public forum where people are not only free but encouraged to submit their opinions. Plus, Zambia is a democracy and the freedom of expression is an important tenet thereof.

    I think that Zambia has showed that our democracy is now entrenched with our peaceful conduct. Against a backdrop of the problems in Zimbabwe, I think Zambia’s example is remarkable.
    God bless mother Zambia!

  22. # 18 speak for yourself and your family and not for the whole province. Since when did you become a spokesperson for the North-Western Province? You will be shocked that you will get back to to the Cinderella status. Don’t trust this wako ni wako man 100%.

  23. Viva RB and not RP as someone has refered to you. you are a rare gem in Zambian politics. the issue of reducing fuel you touched on last nite has melted my hardened heart and i have fully embraced your campaign. next time touch on reducing salaries for everyone who is in formal employment. they dont deserve all this money they are getting.

  24. #18 Northwestern province is always used to put people into power, it is only LPM who kept his word, if RB has to choose to develope astern-provice and westen[province, I am sure you know what he will do, LPM who kept put down down measures for development in all provinces, do not be starry-eyed over RB, his time in office wil be too short, he will only be preoccupied with (quess what!)

  25. NO 13 WHART CONTINUITY DO YOU WANT.IT SEEMS UR MEMORY IS SHORT OR MAY BE U DONT CARE THAT RB AND HIS FOLLOWERS WILL GIVE THEMSELVES OUTRAGEOUS SALARIES WHEN ELECTED WHILE U LIE IN POVERTY WITH POOR HEALTH CARE,EDUCATION BAD ROADS LIST GOES ON AND ON

    ABASH MMD

  26. I AGREE WITH #31; WHTA IS WRONG WITH SOME OF YOU PEOPLE; ARE SHORT IN MEMORY OR PHYSICALLY;
    LOOK AROUND AND JUSTIFY WHY PEOLPE ARE SO MUCH IN POVERTY THAN EVER BEFORE?
    HAVE YOU EVER BEEN TO A HOUSEHOLD WERE PEOPLE TELL YOU THAT THEY HAVE NOT HAD AMEAL FOR THE PAST TWO DAYS ?

  27. I just recently learnt that the flags on your postings are indicative of where all u cowards who are posting comments are taking economic refuge or is it asylum from. Its amazing how unpatriotic punks like you can get the nerve to comment on what is going on here and attempt to sway the voting zambian public with your silly ideas and base thoughts. All you talk about is nothing but crap. Leave the debate to us who have weathered the storm here back home. Come on guys give us a break and apply that crap to your host countries that you do slave labour for.

  28. Its ok to cry when times are hard. Hiding and covering emotions when times are hard as a sign of being a strong person is not a right advise.

    So all MEN out there make sure you express your emotions or else when you go to France you may not come back ka?

    Bushe ba RB what gurrantte is there that you will not be grabing our girl friends? Pantu your wife is in her mid twenties mwe.
    Pliz advise. And hope you will not take Zambia 40 years aback.

    ONE LOVE AND FOR LOVE WE LIVE

  29. Pray for peace throughout this period then we can say well done to you all.not just the peace that was there during the funeral.

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