Thousands of mourners, including First President Kenneth Kaunda and his successor Fredrick Chiluba and many other government officials paid their last respects to the late former Defence Minister Chitalu Sampa, who was today buried at Old Leopards Hill cemetery.
The late Mr. Sampa, whose funeral service was at Cathedral of the Holy Cross, was accorded a state funeral because of his contribution to the government through his service in many various ministerial positions in government.
He was one of the founder members of the Movement for Multiparty Democracy (MMD).
Mr. Sampa started his work as a post master at Livingstone post office and became a trade unionist and served as Community Development Minister when MMD took over government in 1991.
He was later Home Affairs Deputy Minister and was elevated to full Cabinet Minister in the same Ministry before serving as Mines minister and Defence Minister in Chiluba’s government.
At the time of his death, Mr. Sampa was a member of the Patriotic Front where he served as party chairman.
Information and Broadcasting Minister Ronnie Shikapwasha represented government at the funeral and described the late Mr. Sampa as a gallant fighter and a great trade unionist who worked diligently to the best of his ability to serve his country.
Lieutenant General Shikapwasha, who was speaking at the burial site, said the late Mr. Sampa was a champion of democracy who hated politics of hatred and understood the principles of democracy.
He further said Mr. Sampa was a humble man who imparted democratic principles to those he worked with.
And speaking earlier, Dr. Chiluba said Mr. Sampa embraced democracy because it was an organized form of government.
Dr. Chiluba said the late Mr. Sampa believed in politics which brought change in Zambia.
And Patriotic Front leader Michael Sata said he was grateful that the government has embraced the outcry of the leaders for proposing that those who hold high office should be accorded state funerals.
Mr. Sampa 77 died on Tuesday, 14th April at the University Teaching Hospital in Lusaka after an illness.
He is survived by a wife and 13 children with 20 grand children.
ZANIS/VP/KSH/ENDS
Heaven gained a freedom fighter
where are the pictures for the same?
The same what?
First President Kenneth Kaunda has over-lived a number of these politicians. Even Levy died and KK is still going strong. How I wish that most of our president leaders would be put upon them the strength and perseverance that KK portrays.
Ba Chitalu also served in KKs Regime. May His Soul rest in Peace.
Its striking to see the irrelevant whaffle that came from Mr Sata’s mouth. Please sir, talk about the person who has died, why are you more concerned with who gets a state funeral or not
MHSRIEP
Rest in place …..the dead do not speak
The next is king snake with atrial block attack …let him retire
In response to #4. JAMACO
K.K. is as disciplined as Madiba. That is why he will live to a ripe old age. Not that Mr. Sampa was not disciplined. For example, K.K. is a vegetarian and he is physically active. Remember how he was an avid golfer when he was President?
What was the cause of death , so that we can learn from it …. you bemba hypocrites , king snake is next…
Iwe wiseman-reborn! how can someone be a hypocrite by dying? dont u know we all gona die? and the idea of wishing one’s death….. ebuloshi ubu! dont hate Sata for his political stand. Havent u ever heard of democracy?
Lets morn in peace the guys that tried to make Zambia better despite their results.
Peace my bro
KK will be 85 this april 24, wwow…long live kaunda….remember the kk wamuyaya slogan!
LT, why?
Speak to me ……
# 11 speak to me ,us
King snake is the next ,to respond to the maker….
MHSRIP
In response to ZAMBIAN MU DIASPORA
You are very much right. I wonder if those in higher positions also get properly advised health-wise. Most of the drink and smoke carelessly. We really need healthy politicians who can concentrate on what they are called for. You would also question their mental fitness but hey most of them thing “ukulila” is only when you look fat and can drink like a fish. May God bless Zambia and its politicians. We need their brains to be active since every decision they make affects lives.
May his soul rest in eternal peace.
Au revoir Mr Chitalu Sampa, I may join you if Jesus Christ does not come when I will still be alive by His grace.
On “Lieutenant General Shikapwasha, who was speaking at the burial site, said the late Mr. Sampa was a champion of democracy who hated politics of hatred and understood the principles of democracy. He further said Mr. Sampa was a humble man who imparted democratic principles to those he worked with.”, why is it that persons like Lt. Gen. fail to tell the truth – in light of the opposite reality to what Mr Shikapwasha said which clearly shows that the late Mr Chitalu Sampa failed to bring democracy to PF by holding onto a position of PF Political Party Chairman without being elected at a party convention and failing to help the Undereducate get elected as PF president?
20 continued.
Even Mr Chiluba (Hon. Doc., Malawi) somehow indicated “… Dr. Chiluba said Mr. Sampa embraced democracy because it was an organized form of government” in a similar failed manner when it is clear PF which Mr C. Sampa served unelected as PF Chairman for some time and PF has never had elections or an organised convention since its inception in 2001 or so.
I long for a time when people will call a spade a spade in Zambia as we call ourselves a Christian Nation which MUST show in deeds and words.
Too bad though that Mr Sampa died before he organised PF political party to have elections fro its placement of leaders.
Rest in Peace