Copperbelt Minister Bowman Lusambo on Monday afternoon led hundreds of mourners at the official funeral and requiem mass for late Cabinet Minister Ben Kapita on died on Thursday last week.
Mr Lusambo who was accompanied by his North-western Province counterpart Richard Kapita and other senior government officials said Mr Kapita will be remembered for his distinguished contribution to the agricultural sector in Zambia.
Other notable figures that attended the funeral held at his Mukulunge farms along the Ndola-Kapiri highway included former Cabinet Minister Emmanuel Chenda and the Vicar General of the Catholic Ndola Archdiocese Rev. Fr. Alexander Ngosa.
Mr Lusambo said Mr Kapita’s death is a big blow to both his family and the nation at large.
“The immense contribution of the late Honourable Kapita to the agricultural sector spans over a period of 40 years. He was one of the most vibrant commercial farmers of this country. This saw him rise to the position of the President of the Zambia National Farmers Union from 1982 to 1996, after serving in various agricultural related organisations at very high levels,” Mr Lusambo said.
He added, “On behalf of His Excellency the President of the Republic of Zambia, Mr Edgar Chagwa Lungu, the Government and the people of Zambia and indeed on my own behalf, I would like to convey our deep felt condolences to the bereaved family and the nation at large on the death of the late Honourable Ben Kapita. I believe that with such an illustrious life as a farmer, politician and public servant, Hon. Kapita lived his life to the fullest potential.”
Mr Lusambo also advised the family of the late Mr Kapita to remain united as they deal with the loss.
Mr Kapita who died after a long battle with cancer is survived by a daughter, Patricia.
Condolence to the family