Mama Betty Kaunda, who died on September 19 in Harare, Zimbabwe, will be buried in Lusaka on Friday, September 28 at the residence Farm Estate situated behind State Lodge off Leopards Hill Road.
Acting Secretary to the Cabinet, Rowland Msiska, announced in a press statement released to ZANIS in Lusaka today.
Dr Msiska said this follows the guidance by the Kaunda family and her husband, the first republican president, Dr Kenneth Kaunda.
Prior to that, Dr Kaunda’s son, Kaweche, said his father made the ‘difficult’ decision to change the venue of his wife’s burial place after extensive discussions with close family members.
The burial of Mama Betty Kaunda was earlier announced that she would put to rest in Chinsali district in Muchinga province.
He said the burial procession will be preceded by a church service at the cathedral of the Holy Cross at 10-30 hours.
The Acting Secretary to the Cabinet has since advised all mourners to be seated by 09:45 hours.
Dr Msiska added that international sports events will be held as scheduled and will follow international standard practice of observing a minute of silence while sportsmen and women must wear black armbands.
Meanwhile, President Micheal Sata has extended the period of national mourning, which was declared in honour of Mama Betty, for five days ending Friday September 28, 2012 after burial on Friday.
During this period, all flags will continue to fly at half-mast and activities of an entertainment nature should be postponed or cancelled.
Dr Msiska said in the meantime, the first president, Dr Kaunda, continues to receive treatment at the University Teaching Hospital and has made considerable progress
Meanwhile, A Non-governmental organization in Kitwe has appealed to political party leaders to provide leadership to their party members in order to avoid all forms of violence during the burial of the late Mama Betty Kaunda, this Friday.
Democratic Governance and Human Rights Advocates (DEGHA) National coordinator Gerald Mutelo expressed sadness at the behavior portrayed by cadres at the requiem service for the late Mama Betty Kaunda which was to be held at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross in Lusaka over the weekend.
Mr. Mutelo who strongly condemned all the political party cadres for the violence caused on Saturday, added that Mama Betty Kaunda’s funeral is for all Zambians and that everybody is free to mourn and pay their last respects.
This was in a press statement made available to ZANIS in Kitwe today.
He also noted that those who caused violence have no respect for the dead and urged them to apologize to the Kaunda family.
Mr. Mutelo further appealed to the police to arrest without fear, anyone causing violence either from the ruling or opposition parties.
Meanwhile, Mr. Mutelo has urged all political parties and independent candidates to avoid unnecessary cause of bye- elections because billions of money used for by elections could be used to alleviate poverty in the country.
He encouraged voters in Mufumbwe to vote for the candidate of their choice in the coming by election slated for November 8, 2012.
He further appealed to the electorate to avoid all kinds of violence but rather have peaceful campaigns based on issues not tribe or character assassination.
ZANIS
I guess if it was not for the old man to get sick she could have been a Chinsali resident by death by now.I wish nothing but strengh to the Kaunda family during this trying time
May yo Soul Rest in Peace, we loved you but God Loved you so much, tukamonana mumakumbi lesa ngatemwa, Ba mayo wesu abenemwe.**==
cadres behave mwilabonfya ubukopo
I wish and pray that political parties will not take their uncivilized behaviours to the funeral. This is not a political rally PLEASE.
I’m so glad our beloved Mother, Mama Betty will be buried in Lusaka were she lived for so many years,mwebantu.Ba cadre, anyone who is going to start a fight should be brutally panel beaten by the Police.Ba Dr Solomon Jere is a political cadre, he should be fired for being partisan.Rest in Peace,Mama Betty,Rest in Peace.