A Befitting Farewell

Emotional scenes of wailing and evocative tributes to second president of the republic of Zambia Dr Frederick Chiluba characterized the funeral service yesterday as multitudes of Zambians from all walks of life witnessed the burial of the man who ruled the country from 1991 to 2001. Tears flowed freely during the church service at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross as a group of Zambian musicians sang their tribute ‘Amazing life’ while Dr Chiluba’s daughter Verocia equally moved many to tears when she sang ‘Lesa ekachema wandi’ (The Lord is my Shepherd) in a heart wrenching voice.

From Musangu Village, Dr Chiluba’s village in Luapula province to Chipata in the East and Livingstone in Southern province, all Zambians had an opportunity to watch the procession on television sets and large screens mounted by the Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation. It was a funeral service befitting of a man who meant different things to many people from his time as Chairman general of the Zambia Congress of Trade Unions to the time he became republican president in 1991. Dr Chiluba, 68, died in the early hours of June 18, 2011. In Lusaka, several residents lined up the streets along Great East Road and Addis Ababa Drive as early as 07.00 hours in an attempt to catch a glimpse of the casket ferrying the body of Dr Chiluba mounted on a gun carriage as defence personnel led the procession from Mulungushi International Conference Centre to the Cathedral of the Holy Cross. The body of the former Head of State which lay in state for two days at Mulungushi International Conference Centre where body viewing was conducted was driven through to the Cathedral via Great East Road, Addis Ababa and Church road reached at about 09.10 hours.

As the casket draped in the Zambian flag weaved its way from Mulungushi International Conference centre to the Cathedral for the church service, scores of mourners who had thronged the streets could not hold back their tears as they surged forward to get a glimpse of the cortege while military personnel had a tough time to control the crowd. The church was packed to capacity and an extra screen was mounted outside to allow those who could not find space inside be part of the service.

Among the dignitaries at the church service which was also attended by President Rupiah Banda and his wife Thandiwe, were Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) President Joseph Kabila, Zimbabwean Vice president Joyce Mujuru, Zimbabwean Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai, former Tanzanian President Benjamin Mkapa and Katanga Governor Moses Katumbi. Others were First republican President Kenneth Kaunda, Vice president George Kunda, Chief justice Ernest Sakala, Speaker of the National Assembly Amusaa Mwanamwambwa, members of the diplomatic corps, senior government officials, leaders of political parties and members of the clergy. And in his homily, Bishop Peter Ndhlovu of Bible Gospel Church in Africa (BIGOCA) who was Dr Chiluba’s spiritual leader said Dr Chiluba had left a legacy that would not be erased. Bishop Ndhlovu described Dr Chiluba as a genuine born again Christian who never gave up even in the hardest time of persecution. “He loved this nation and was committed to the cause of the nation. He was a genuine born again Christian and I am a proud Pastor because he was genuinely born again,” he said. He said Dr Chiluba was not ashamed of what people said about him as long as what he was doing was aimed at serving the people. He said he was a believer in the gospel and knew that his redeemer lived. The atmosphere was somber as, Dr Elias Phiri gave the church history of Dr Chiluba who he said joined BIGOCA in 2004 as a member and contributed greatly to church welfare. Dr Phiri said Dr Chiluba lived a humble life and was a full participant in church life. “Dr Chiluba opened up his home for church members and at times his swimming pool was used for baptism for church members,” he said.

And eulogising their father, children Darlington, Kaindu and Hulda described Dr Chiluba as a loving and caring dad who was always there to provide counsel. Darlington said he would miss his smile and laughter. “We will miss your smile and laughter. Your confidence and assurance you had. We will also miss the assurance of prayer today and forever goodbye,” he said. Kaindu described Dr Chiluba as a special friend, father and a great blessing to the children. The family was comforted because he was with the heavenly Father and as such in the safest hands. Hulda said his name Frederick the most used name meant peaceful ruler and peaceful keeper. “Your leadership both in our home and over the nation was one of much upheaval. The peace you sort to bring about was not as the world gives. It was peace from God. It was the kind of peace that will live a legacy of peace maker,” she said.

And widow Regina, through a representative Barbara Mulalami revealed that her late husband asked her to open some verses in the Bible when she arrived from the Copperbelt province just before he died. Regina said when she entered the house, Dr Chiluba smiled broadly at her while he was being attended to by his physician Justin Kangwa. She said the former President, whom he described as a friend, father and companion, told her to read from Isaiah 53 verse 4 and Psalms 23 and there was no indication that he would die having pulled through out of serious conditions before. Regina said Dr Chiluba stood resolutely by her during her trials in court where she was facing accusations of corruption. She hailed Dr Chiluba’s former wife, Vera and other relatives for the mature manner they had mourned the second republican President. Regina said she remains touched at the way Dr Chiluba accepted everyone in the family regardless of their status and cited marketeers and call-boys whom he referred to as people under the ‘Office of the President.’ She said it was clear that Dr Chiluba loved the poor people deeply and had a special relationship with each of his children. Regina said on June 16, 2011, Dr Chiluba held a meeting with President Banda and had been speaking highly about the outcome of that meeting until he died. She said as an ardent supporter of the English premiership side, Arsenal Football Club she always sat by his side to watch football matches and he also loved the Zambia National Soccer team. “I will continue to support President Rupiah Banda. I will continue to support my party, the MMD and I apologise for the few times I misunderstood you,” Regina said.

Dr Chiluba’s nephew Morgan Kasanda said Dr Chiluba may not have always been physically present where his relatives were but he was always helping where there was need. Mr Kasanda said Dr Chiluba sought the divine protection of God when he declared Zambia as a Christian nation in December 1991. He said the gap left by Dr Chiluba’s death would not be recovered and praised President Rupiah Banda for helping their late son to be attended to by the best medical doctors before he died. Dr Chiluba was born a twin in Kitwe on April 30, 1943. His parents Jacob Titus Nkonde and Diana Kaimba hailed from Musangu village of Mwense district in Luapula province. He went to Musangu primary school in 1952 from sub A to Standard 2 and Lubunda Primary Scholl for Standard 3 and 4. He later did his upper primary at Mulundu school where he completed his standard 5 and 6. Mr Kasanda said from there, he proceeded to Kawambwa Secondary school until in 1961 but was expelled from school because of his involvement in politics. Mr Kasanda said Dr Chiluba later completed his studies for General School certificate and pursued bookkeeping and credit collection courses through a London Correspondence college.

After school Dr Chiluba worked for Central African Road Services (CARS) and Sisal Estates as a records clerk. After a stint in Tanzania, he returned to the Copperbelt in 1964 and did a few menial jobs before enrolling for a book keeping course through correspondence with Gordon Arlen College in Edinburg, Scotland. With this qualification he joined Masson-Ord, a wholesale company in Ndola in 1965 as an invoice Clerk. A year later, he joined a Swedish firm, Atlas Copco Zambia Limited and progressed steadily to the position of Accounts Clerk, Credit controller, Assistant Accountant and finally Credit Manager a position he held until he took leave in 1990 to join the political campaign for change. While at Atlas Copco he passed his GCE levels in Economics, English, principles of Accounts and religious knowledge. Between 1977 and 1970, Dr Chiluba obtained a certificate in Credit and collection policies and a certificate in advanced credit analysis by private study with the national institute of Credit in New York. In 1988 he passed GCE ‘A” levels in Government and politics which enabled him to enroll for a degree course with Warwick University to obtain masters degree of Philosophy in Political science.

Later, the casket was driven to Embassy Park for burial where again, emotions characterized the arrival of the body. Laying of wreaths took over an hour starting with the widow Regina, followed by President and Mrs Banda, the children and other dignitaries. As the casket was lowered, the Zambia Army gave Dr Chiluba a 19-gun salute while the Zambia Air Force performed a fly-past, adding to the solemn mood. Mr Ben Mwila, an uncle to Dr Chiluba spoke on behalf of the family thanking the republican President, the Government and all those who assisted in any way towards the arrangements of the funeral, the logistics, the moral and material support rendered in any way. Mr Chriticles Mwansa gave a speech on behalf of the Mwata Kazembe while the church also had their share of final words. Tanzanian former President Benjamin Mkapa also spoke on behalf of all visiting dignitaries. President Banda was the last to speak. He spoke very highly of Dr Chiluba and the late Dr Levy Mwanawasa. Farewell Dr Chiluba, gone forever.

[Times of Zambia]