The body of former first lady Mama Betty Kaunda has arrived in the country. First Republican President Dr Kenneth Kaunda accompanied the body which arrived at about 14 hours aboard Air Zimbabwe.
President Michael Sata was at hand to receive the body at Kenneth Kaunda International Airport. The airport was filled with a solemn and somber mood.
Among the people present were Vice President Dr. Guy Scott and his wife Charlotte, Cabinet ministers, senior government officials and party officials.
Others were leaders and members from the opposition including MMD president Nevers Mumba, FDD’s Edith Nawaki and former First Lady Maureen Mwanawasa.
President Michael Sata has since accorded former first lady Betty Kaunda a State Funeral.
The President has declared three days of national mourning of Late Mama Betty Kaunda who passed away on Wednesday 18th September, 2012 while visiting her daughter in Harare, Zimbabwe.
The national mourning will begin on Friday 21st September, 2012 at 06:00 hours and will end on Sunday 23rd September, 2012 at 18:00 hours.
This is contained in a statement made available to ZNBC News by Secretary to the Cabinet Roland Msiska.
Dr. Msiska has stated that during the period of national mourning, all flags will fly at half mast and activities of entertainment nature should be postponed or canceled.
He has also announced that Government is making arrangements for the body viewing programme, and the nation will soon be informed.
The funeral is being held at the family’s home behind State Lodge Police Station.
Meanwhile the United Party for National Development-UPND has described Mama Betty Kaunda as a giant for Zambia’s struggle for independence.
UPND Leader Hakainde Hichilema says Mmama Betty was also a role model for family values and the UPND party will surely miss her.
The UPND Leader says this in a message of condolences to the first Republican President Dr Kenneth Kaunda and the family on the death of Mama Betty Kaunda.
Mr Hichilema says the party is deeply shocked on the sudden death of Mama Betty and has wished Dr Kaunda and his family God’s strength during this trying moment.
Mama Betty passed away in the early hours of yesterday in Zimbabwe and her body has since arrived in the country.
ZNBC
does any body know the cause of the death?or ws it just sudden
Why are you concerned about the cause of death? Don’t you know that she has not been well after the stroke she suffered years back…Our culture will never reveal any details of cause of death or say ill about the departed.
She had been suffering from diabetes the last 60 years which compounded her having a stroke, and hence worsened until her death. I hope this helps you.
She died from complications caused by the stroke she had suffered not too long ago. We mourn you, honour you with humility and dignity Mama Betty, the FIRST Lady of ALL first ladies.
Nothing less than a state funeral is indeed what she deserves. R.I.P.
HH is a factor in zed politics exe. M just saying …
You, really don’t have manners do you? This thread is about Mama Betty. What does HH have to do with anything here? I’ll give you the benefit of doubt and assume that, you unintentionally posted that HH comment on here. Be warned though…others may not be as nice! In you own words….”M just saying”…
Please, give us time to mourn our beloved mother without infusing stupid politics in this very somber moment.
Factor? you are having a laugh! if he cant win c/belt,luapula,northern ,muchinga and eastern ,may l even add parts of lusaka he will never win no matter how hard you will him to
What a beautiful love story! Kenneth and Betty, 66 years of commitment and faithfulness, no couple can match this in Zambia.
My husband and I are moving towards it though. 10 years and we are still in love, madly.
My parents are above that. They were married in 1942 and are still together. i know they are at the peak of their life but 70 years in marriage is more than zambias life span. resrt in peace mama betty
Am disappointed that you are married. Your man is lucky bastard to have a smart thinking Zambian, I hope you have legs like your brains.
25 years this year to a lovely muzungu!!
Gray and Kenny back together. Iconic.
Ok, Mafela#3, you really don’t have manners do you? This thread is about Mama Betty. What does HH have to do with anything here? I’ll give you the benefit of doubt and assume that, you unintentionally posted that HH comment on here. Be warned though…others may not be as nice! In you own words….”M just saying”…
Rest In Peace, Mama Betty Kaunda … we are all mourning, the loss is ours. You were a mother and gift to mankind at large, your shoes too big for anyone else to fit it … Rest In Peace, Mama Betty Kaunda.
I guess, I am filled with grief ,,, meant to say “… your shoes too big for anyone else to fit in”.
Rest In Peace, Mama Betty Kaunda.
Kutumpa uko naimwe
True that Nubian Princess. To think 66 years of marital bliss…hmm. Now, that is what i call chikondi. I wish we can all learn something from the Kaundas…true love story indeed. Am just a bit concerned for the old man now that his partner is gone. You know what they say about old folks…it’s usually hard to cope after the loss of a life long partner. KK live long papi!
You are right. True love… Rare cases..
Thanks HH for being sober minded. I thought you have hit the right note of tune. We appreciate you
My sincere condolences to Dr Kaunda and her family on this untimely loss of not only a beloved mother, grandma, great grandma, but the mother of our nation and a very nice and very kind selfless mother. RIP Mama Betty Kaunda. And thank you sir Mr Grey Zulu for consoling your friend for he needs all the compassion he can get. We are with the kaundas in spirit and pray. From USA with love.
Nubian Princess, I am ahead of you, I have got 22 years – a tough one black & white. Just joking \:d/
As regards to KK, I am worried about the old man. Usually with such old couples, when one goes, the other will follow, pretty soon!:((
KK is too dear t us so please don’t jinx the old man.
Thank You Mr President Sata, for according the respect to our Mother , Betty Kaunda.You are proving to be a great President. May God Bless you.Thank You.
she dosent deserve a state funeral, she was not in government. Betty kaunda was very uneffective first lady, no first lady desk like thandiwe, vera ,molin,.as for me my club will be open daily no playing of solmen music , life as usual.
Whatever will happen to you tomorrow, don’t blame me. You are a disgrace, inkulungwe iwee.
Yeah, the absence of an IDI.OT like you at the funeral is blessing to everybody!!!
We will remember your love and care during our struggle for independence in Zimbabwe. Thank you for your selfless life.
May her soul rest in peace. We will miss you mama
Most of you are more than Betty’s half-age, and you have achieved nothing, and you may not even get married to nobody, I foresee your funerals of nothingness.
MHSRIP
So no Under-20 game on Saturday? Those Malians can just stay and play on Wednesday.
I am single with killer legs, Hola!
KK and Gray Zulu- thats a very poignant moment in the picture there.
May you find strength and Gods guidance your exellence, can’t hold back my tears..
…and when is CNP going to die so that we have 4 YEARS OF NATIONAL MORNING?
He is dying right after your funeral! And when is that, again!?
Pansi must be a kid.Please trace her/his IP?10 minutes is enough to trace devils like you.
Barotseland shall one day be free. RIP Betty!
It shall indeed be free some day! Free of cowards, lunatics and idio.ts like you!!!!!!!!!!!!
Since other people have said, I am going to brag too; my mom and Dad, 50 years together and still going strong. KK and his Bride, 66 years together—that’s something! I have only clocked ten so far, married to a beautiful Tonga woman and loving it!!!
It is nonetheless regrettable that we are slowly losing a generation of Zambians who really took marriage vowels seriously. A generation of our parents to whom the words “FOR BETTER FOR WORSE, RICH OR POOR, IN HEALTH AND IN SICKNESS…” really meant something!
Kabiyeni muKutusha ba mama Betty Kaunda!
Will always will remember the singing couple.
May her soul rest in eternal peace.
We shall trully mis Mama Betty. She endured alot of pain when her Hubby was being imprisoned by the Colonialists and later when he was shot at in Kabwe and later caged at Mukobeko. All this pain, like Mother Mary endured when her Son Jesus was being crucified, we never heard Mama Betty screaming in the media iyayi. We ask God to forgive her watever sins she might have had and elevate her to sainthood in heaven.
To bad. Ma suit agogo a Grey Zulu. Mwayasunga bwino