By Field Ruwe
With tests of spirit and courage we sought for a saviour; the son of a missionary of the Church of Scotland who told us he was an expert cliff climber. Wrapped in zeal as in a cloak tied at the shoulder like a biblical climber he pledged to teach us how to get our toes in the narrow cracks of granite and climb to the lofty summit. Up deep in the ravine he led us. We conquered the main obstacle to our advancement—colonialism, and emerged on a narrow rugged shelf, broken and uneven, but great all the same.
The cliff climber became a hero theos; a paragon of freedom. For we are meek, we made him the patriot and protector. Griots, minstrels, skalds, udgatars, and ashiks composed eulogies and ballads in his praise. They sang of him first of all the heroes. They composed songs that aroused their courage. For, as they sang for him, they were inspired. He reciprocated with Augustus Toplady’s Hymn “Rock of Ages, cleft for me, let me hide myself in thee; Not the labours of my hands can fulfil thy law’s commands” which he sang with gusto. He told us to “love thy neighbour as thy self” and decreed “Thou shall not steal!”And when we became crocked and inebriated he threatened to forsake us.
Owing to his gravitas we called him “The Emancipator” for he was like Heracles in many ways. As leader of men he was a great motivator who knew how to inspire fierce loyalty bordering on worship. He knew how to raise morale and get the best from us. He had limitless power. He used his wits on several occasions when his strength did not suffice, such as when some among us threatened to secede. He was a passionate and emotional individual, capable of doing great deeds for his friends and for country.
As we bid farewell, lined up along the last boulevard, wreath in hand, waving, wailing the words Kaunda Kafikepo (farewell), and throwing ourselves to the ground, we hear the strum on your guitar and voice in you, singing:
While I draw this fleeting breath,
When mine eyes shall close in death,
When I rise to worlds unknown
And behold thee on thy throne,
Rock of Ages, cleft for me,
Let me hide myself in thee.
Thank Field,
This is a poignant and well deserved accolade to our foremost Citizen. The man the many could not subdue. The Man who taught us a thing or two about Principles and the high price one paid by standing to them. His Legacy is set in stone and we shall argue forever as history is written and re-written. His Soul Rests in peace. Hoping our current political protagonists can pick up a lesson or two on leadership as we head towards the elections. KK has given up his life for peace in the country. Let that be a reminder to All
Sweet ode for our departed KK; MHSRIEP.
Field you lost credibility when you started writing biased articles that favour the man who feeds you hh. Today you want to come out praising a man who stood for one Zambia one nation and yet your support a party that is tribal. Do not make a f00I of us
Well articulated Field.
Thank you, thank you, thank you very much! Top honours to KK.
Ba KZ nipamalilo pano!.
Ninshi mulabu, munamwa industrial metherated spirit?
Napamalilo imwe ni HH, we amwalila pano ni KK not HH awe.
@Kaizar Zulu, this is not the time for you to start forming in your mouth, it is the time for morning. Respect the opposition because they might be the in power by the end of the year. You are no longer a respected man if ever you had at one time.
I will call out a hypocrite even in mourning. You didn’t respect what this great man stood for and today you want to capitalize on his achievements as freedom fighter and others.
NKHANA KITWE ICHICIPUBA CHAMUNTU
The big brains have congratulated Field Ruwe on his brilliant Eulogy….one small and politically inept brain has come out with insults as usual….And in his usual “what can you remember” Grade 7 English. Why not write your own eulogy and let the jury come out afterwards. Even a fool is considered wise when he keeps his mouth shut, said the wise king Solomon.
Even when KK was chasing weslenky, it was a forward sign they were using, just look at picture.
It’s fine. Let KZ vent. It is fine. In the meantime, I join my fellow compatriots in extending my condolences to the family of KK and indeed to those that were touched by this man’s contribution to this country, continent, and the world. May His Soul Rest in Eternal Peace.
If you read comments on all articles about the death of our KK you will see that all your fellow upnd supporters are using them as a platform to criticise our government and president. So do not insult my intelligence by trying to act like you care about KK just because you are commenting on your fellow upnd supporters article. You want to be good only when it is convenient or beneficial to your tribal party. I wont stand for that and I will call it out. A bunch of hypocrites. “Only a T.o.n.ga can rule upnd”, remember those words? Today you want to act like you care about one Zambia one nation. Fuseke
A few are here today looking so sympathetic, wanting people to see them beaming with empathy, fooling some people; but the discernible have already read through the lines to see only crocodiles shading dry tears. So easy to see this.
Field Ruwe
You must be strong to have completed writing all of this!
I had to pause a few times during reading to the last as i started tearing up.
However, expect and accept people like The Kaizer! to pop out of the woodwork to spew vomit as the big heads they carry on their shoulders holds nothing…
KK lived to a ripe age of 97 but we all wish he could live a few more if only aspiring leaders could tap into his wisdom and humility.
Proud to be Zambian, to be associated with this wonderful human being…
God Rest His Soul
A few are here today looking so sympathetic, wanting people to see them beaming with empathy, bamboozling and hoodwinking some people; but the discernible have already read through the lines to see only crocodiles shading dry tears. So easy to see this.
The forward symbol was used to chase welensky, this pictures speaks volumes. RIPKK.
@Kaizar Zulu was described by Ruwe last time that he suffered from mental illness, so you can excuse him if he brings HH where we are mourning our greatest man, our founding father of our great nation Zambia. We should know who is Kaizar Zulu by now and learn to ignore him.
RIP great man, ICON and LEGEND, shall not be forgotten, 97 years on earth, great achievement
@Aristotle that was Chisokone. Very original and African
First met Dr Kaunda in 1976 as a primary school kid. He was visiting Chingola and as school kids we lined up the street from 1st street to 14th street with small Zambian flags in our hands. He came out of the presidential motorcade to greet some of us. It was such a memorable occasion. We wish Zambia’s founding President eternal rest. As they say, old warriors never die but just fade away.
KK WAS A VERY WISE MAN I REMEMBER A PROTEST BY UNZA STUDENTS AGAINST THE FRENCH GOVT AFTER INFORMATION EMERGED THAT HELICOPTERS WHERE SOLD TO SOUTH AFRICA DEFENCE FORCES. UNZA STUDENTS CRIED FOR GUNS AND CHANTTED WE WANT WAR WITH THE SMITH MINORITY REGIME IN THEN RHODESIA. KK PUT IT CLEARLY THAT HIS BOYS WERE EQUALLY TO THE TAST TO FLY SORTIES TO SUSIBURY AND KNOCK OUT SOME INFRASTRUCTURE BUT CAUTIONED THAT WOULD BE PLAYING IN THE HANDS OF THE WEST WHO NOT HESITATE COMING TO THE AID OF THEIR FELLOW WHITES AND CAUSE MORE MISERY TO INNOCENT ZAMBIAN POPULATION. AT THAT TIME ZAMBIAN DEFENCE FORCES THOUGH IN ITS INFANCY WORKED 24HRS EVERY DAY OF THE YEAR. KK COULD READ THE MOOD AND MADE PRECISE AND WELL CALCULATED RESPONSES. HE HAS A WELL PURIFIED TEAM OF TECHNOCRATES AND DIPLOMATS AND ZAMBIA…
@Field Ruwe
Many thanks for the poetic praiseworthy song. If KK got to hear it, he would have passionately strum the guitar to animate your lyrical ballads.
Does anyone remember that his handkerchief that symbolised Love and Peace once on auction sale fetched K???,???.00?
I wonder how his guitar will fare.