PRESIDENT Rupiah Banda yesterday spent his second day at the place of mourning for second president of the Republic of Zambia, Frederick Chiluba and took time to greet and talk to the mourners.
On Tuesday when he first went to Belvedere Lodge, which is the venue for mourning, President Banda broke down and wept.
Yesterday, he arrived at the funeral venue accompanied by First Lady Thandiwe and proceeded to console Dr Chiluba’s widow Regina before he went to join Government officials who sat outside.
Hundreds of mourners greeted the president as he walked around the premises.
President Banda shared some moments of sorrow with various people and groups that included a delegation of Zambia Episcopal Conference (ZEC) bishops led by Cardinal Merdado Mazombwe.
Also in ZEC’s delegation was former president Father Ignatius Mwebe, current president George Lungu and others who included Mike Marrizi of Mansa, Telesphore Mpundu of Lusaka and Benjamin Phiri of Chipata.
The bishops all signed the book of condolences and later joined Regina in the house where Archbishop Mpundu offered a prayer while Cardinal Mazombwe gave a prayer of blessings.
President Banda escorted the bishops to their motor vehicles before he walked back to join other mourners at the venue he would be visiting daily.
Mr Banda also met a delegation from the Law Association of Zambia led by its president Musa Mwenye.
And several other clergymen from various churches prayed at the funeral while some church choirs joined in singing solemn music.
The president spent more than an hour at the funeral house with several groups consoling him as he sat in a tent while the first lady also spent a similar amount of time consoling the widow in the lounge allocated to her and other family members.
Earlier, President Banda hailed the Church in Zambia for rising above denominational boundaries to support the bereaved family.
In a statement released by special assistant to the president for Press and public relations Dickson Jere, President Banda reiterated his appeal for all Zambians to mourn Dr Chiluba with dignity and respect.
He said in response to a message of condolences from ZEC that it was important for people through their churches to hold hands across Zambia and share encouragement and solidarity during times of bereavement.
“Now is the time for the people to look back and reflect on the achievements of the trade unionist and human rights activist.
“Dr Chiluba’s legacy should serve as an inspiration for the future. I want to express my heartfelt thanks to ZEC for the letter of condolences,” Mr Banda said.
The ZEC had in a letter dated June 21, 2011 conveyed condolences to President Banda on the sudden death of Dr Chiluba.
The letter read: “We pray that God may wipe the tears of all the mourners and continue to shower his abundant blessings upon our nation even as we go through this period of sadness.”
William Banda and his acolyte Chiwele Maimanyami are the trouble makers.
I ask this question
if Chiluba’s sworn arch enemy Telesphore Mpundu of Lusaka yesterday visited the funeral place without victimization, why can’t his old friend plunderer Micheal Sata do the same?
maybe William Banda, despite all the hate we have for him is right this time around.
#2 Freedom. Teka panshi fitalale! Telesphore Mpundu is not running for president, Sata is. Read between the lines.
Correct, and what would be Willy’s point in beating the bishop?
Mwe bantu satana is bedridden in his hole in rhodespark.He is hiding behind violence against him as an excuse of not visiting funeral house.The chap is sick and does not want his cadres to know that his health is failing.
Mr. President spending time daily at the funeral lodge is not enough. If you really appreciate the contributions FTJ made both as trade uninionst and Leader of Zambia declare 27th June 2011 as a public holiday. Since the funeral will be televised live on ZNBC and may be MV TV mostof the workers across the country will be clued to their TV sets. And knowing the behaviour of most of the foreign invetsors / employers including some wicked Zambians they wont allow workers to watch the funeral proceedings. After all a bigger chunk of the K4.6Billion of tax payers money will go towards this function. Seat with your cabinet and implement this. Today its Chiluba tomorrow it will be you. Its a state funeral and you are in charge make a decision. Currently we are celebrating the life of Chiluba.
If Sata cant visit the funeral house thats his own choice but the fact of the matter is the big man’s health is not good to make a public appearance. Thats the reason why Eynter Kabimba has imposed a complete ban on PF members to make any comments. If Sata is unwell to visit the funeral lodge why cant the treker Guy Scott and members of the central committee make an effort. If the mountain cant visit Mohammed then Mohammed should visit the mountain. There is no playing games coz if Sata felt someone offended him he would have rushed to court for defamation of character. The PF leadership is not telling the truth on the status (health) of their leader. he whole world have heard it loud and clear how MMD thugs have been cut to pieces coz of their misconduct and Willie has retracted. Whats
Master Voice this is not a show where people fight to visit the funeral house. May be in your tribe funerals are like parties. Why do you want sata to go to the funeral? so that you f.u..ck.ers can again change the goal post and say he ignored Nyamasoya
President Banda broke down and wept. LT please??? A President Crying? Show people you are strong as head of state, Damn, How close were you to Chiluba? Guess coz your dribbler is gone, Bola Yashupa?
Why does everyone keep insisting we mourn Chiluba with honour and dignity? Is there any other way of mourning? And what honour is there in issuing threats, and then challenges, to your perceived enemies over funeral attendance? The MMD needs to censure william and its youth wing if it is serious with this honour and dignity thing.
May his soul rest in peace.
Ba Master’s Voice # 5&6. Your comments and analysis are an embarrassment coming from some one in the UK. How can you say its not enough for the president (probably with the entire Govt.) to spend time daily at the funeral and even suggesting to declare the burial day a public holiday. Do you know the impact this funeral is having on the economy of Zambia and the loss in revenue etc.. Developed countries that have lost their past presidents didnt even have a week of national disaster to morn someone who spent his time doing dodgy deals. A minute silence was enough in recognition of his ‘noble’ services. Your comment sounds like coming from someone on state benefits. Pls help your country to think.
Walasa!! Lost revenue and the cost (K4.6bn)! By the time he is buried, the cost will be around K20bn!!
The other way of looking at this scenario is that WB actually spared the PF president the embarrassment of explaining about his heath at the funeral. He should thank the thug for the opportunity created for him to remain hidden from the public. On a serious note, I feel Mr. Sata may do himself a service to seriously consider retiring from politics. The mind is certainly willing but the body may not be able to handle the rigors of serious campaigns. Mr Sata has a legacy for achievements that cannot be taken away from him. He made Lusaka Province tick as governor. He’s the one that stopped people buying uncovered bread for which I will always thank him. He is one man that taught us that you can sue if someone sells you substandard products. Let him seriously consider retiring. Not worth it.
Now we have a president who is not just the chief Kamwendo Munjila but also Chief Moaner. I wonder what next! Chiluba died of “fyakuiletelela umwine” and that’s why his relatives are refusing to have a post moterm done on the thug because they know doctors will find many diseases including “ishilumbulwa pe shina” resident inside that diminutive thug’s bollocks.
Rupiah wept.
This is my shortest comment on Rupiah.
For sure Satan is down. PF find another presidential candidate b4 it is too late.No postponement of elections
Hhahahahahahahh at Satana abisama mubwato.
Zambians let us just change the voting system. RB should stand with a frog like was the case in Kaunda times. We vote Yes and No
RB mingles with Zombians
RB mingles with Zombians.
Zambian government – Widow maker
RB did not mingle with mourners he want to check on how much billions MMD as raised 4 their campaigns using this funeral…………………..
DO NOT TAKE ISSUES OF BEREAVEMENT LIGHTLY. FTJ is gone. He did not chose to do so. Let us mourn him, if you dont want, please, let those us agrieved do so. Remember its someones life we are talking about. Is CHILUBA the last to go? think twice.
All this fussing over a thief… unbelievable!
RB has no class… why is he wearing a dinner Jacket to a funeral house… will someone please tell him that this is not a dinner party.
Ya ba ati Dinner Jacket :d