“YOU were a distinguished man, selfless and complete. You were action-oriented, a man of the people and loved by the people. Words fail us to express the loss we feel over your passing on,” said former Lusaka mayor Patricia Nawa in a moving tribute to President Sata yesterday.
Hers was among the many glowing tributes that have continued to be poured on late President Sata, who will be buried today at Lusaka’s Embassy Park.
Hundreds of councillors from across the country led by the Lusaka City Council (LCC) yesterday held a valedictory service for President Sata at Mulungushi International Conference Centre.
Ms Nawa, a seasoned councillor, read out a moving tribute to President Sata during the service that lasted 30 minutes.
“You were our alderman. You served the poor while you were a councillor for Bauleni in 1980. Later, you became Governor for Lusaka and your works are still here to bear witness of your service,” she said.
The service for councillors from across the country was presided over by the defence forces comprising the Zambia Army, Zambia Air Force and Zambia National Service.
Lusaka deputy mayor Potiphar Tembo later led all the councillors in paying their last respects to the man who transformed local government in a viable entity.
Outside was the gun carrier bearing a sparkling copper eagle on the number plate ready to move President Sata’s casket.
At Parliament, Evangelical Fellowship of Zambia (EFZ) executive director Pukuta Mwanza urged Zambians to remain united in prayer and give President Sata a befitting send-off.
In an opening prayer during a thanks-giving ceremony for the late President, Reverend Mwanza said Zambians should resist the temptation tribal or political conflict.
“We want to give thanks to God for all that President Sata did and achieved. Death is such a painful calling. It robs us of people we dearly love,” Rev Mwanza said.
Bwengwa UPND Member of Parliament Highive Hamududu said Zambians should heed the call to be peaceful and united.
And National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha’is of Zambia Director of Office of External Affairs Margaret Lengwe has said President Sata’s actions demonstrated an aspiration for justice and equity.
“As we pause to pay our respects and to honour his memory through this gathering, we also look forward to a future of unshakeable unity among all the people of Zambia, working hand in hand for the efflorescence of a just, equitable and prosperous nation,” Ms Lengwe said.
She was speaking during an Inter-faith devotional gathering at National Baha’i Centre in Lusaka on Sunday evening.
The gathering was also attended by Government officials, MPs, the diplomatic community and civil society.
And MPs have described late President Sata as an experienced parliamentarian who served Mpika Central and Kabwata constituencies diligently.
Chipili MP Davies Mwila (PF) said he was mentored into a seasoned politician by President Sata.
Lunte MP Felix Mutati (MMD) said taking President Sata’s body to Parliament was significant and a sign of bringing together political players who will be critical in the next three months.
He urged politicians and Zambians to unite and put personal ambitions below the national agenda.
Meanwhile, Zambia Episcopal Conference (ZEC) general secretary Cleopas Lungu has urged politicians to honour the memory of President Sata by fulfilling his desires of developing the country.
“President Sata’s wishes and desires were to develop the economy, improve the road network and provide the nation with a Constitution that would stand the test of time. Politicians and leaders have now been charged with the responsibility of bringing his desires to fruition,” he said during an inter-denominational church service in honour of President Sata at Parliament yesterday.
Oh for goodness sakes! Better to shut up than to tell lies in the name of politeness.
Rest in peace our President Mr. M. C. Sata.
Why do we tell lies when a person dies?The people wanted a constitution did he give us one NO.You have forgotten the arrests of opposition leaders when meeting their members Mumba was arrested,HH was arrested,Chipimo was arrested, where were you when these things was happening for you to say he was distinguished.No press conference.
Lies, lies, lies…. Sata was Satan’s disciple. A corrupt and evil dictator, a tribalist, liar and morally bankrupt person. The worst president the country has ever seen.
Muppets trying to outdo each other hero worshipping a dead man.
The man was neither of the above..best you keep quiet than tell lies!!
What a waste of oxygen…..
the best thing to ever happen to Zambia was for this useless dictator to die
Give praise where it is due… built Merzaf. Thank u.
Why do we tell lies when some one dies, “He was the best employee, was about to be promoted, will be greatly missed” even when they were a liability to society. Its awfully ridiculous to try and fool yourselves about how nice and gentle Sata was. We have the truth at the back of our mind.
I DONT WHY LUSAKA TIMES IS BLOCKING ALL REPLIES,BEING MADE FOR THESE DOGS SAYING ALL SORTS RUBBISH AGAINST THE PRESIDENT.WHAT CONTRIBUTION DO THEY MAKE APART FROM BEING IN THE DISPORA DOING NOTHING BUT LICKING WHITEMEN HIS FEET.
BUSY!PUTTING UP FOREIGN FLAGS ON YOUR POSTS.DISGRACE TO OUR NATION YOU PUPPIES ,COWARDS,PIGS.IF YOU TO DIE TODAY MY GUESS YOUR FAMILIES WONT HAVE THE MONEY TO BRING YOUR ROTTEN BODIES BACK HOME.ENGINEER…..ALL SORTS OF SILLY TITLES,WHAT HAVE YOU INVENTED YOU ZOMBE TO DISRESPECT A PRESIDENT OF OUR COUNTRY AND PROMOTE DISUNITY.
Mr Mudenda, is your Zambian flag invisible? I only see a foreign flag on your post as well. If you are so grief-stricken that you are confused I will not hold it against you. Hopefully you will snap out of it my tomorrow.
Now back to the topic at hand. What this Ms. Nawa said about Sata is total hogwash. Nobody will be so callous as to dance on another man’s grave, but if you have nothing appropriate to say, you really should refrain from fabricating complete bull crap like this lady is doing. Saying something so outlandish, so far from the truth at this dictator’s funeral, can be construed as mockery.
Ifi Nya, fi Muzo, Songa nya and demonic inginiya ficili filedabwa.