The family of the late Dr. Kenneth David Kaunda has expressed gratitude to chiefs from Southern Province who came to offer support to the bereaved family on the passing on of the former president.
Speaking shortly after the arrival of the body of the late from Choma in Southern Province at City Airport in Lusaka yesterday, his son Panji Kaunda commended the people of Southern Province for turning out in huge numbers to offer their respects to the founding father of the nation.
He said many people turned out to offer support and consolation to the bereaved family.
“People showed up in huge numbers and observed the Ministry of Health Guidelines on the prevention of Covid-19 by masking and observing social distancing. The people were managed very well to avoid the spread of the virus,” he stated.
Lt Col Panji Kaunda said the people of Choma thanked government for taking the remains of the late president to them and appreciated the family for accepting to do that.
He added that the people of Southern Province expressed gratitude for being selected as the first province to be honoured to pay their respects to the late former president.
“We are looking forward to going to other provinces to see how it will be. It is important that this has been done to accord the people an opportunity to say goodbye to their gallant leader,’ he added.
Government announced that the body of Dr. Kaunda will be taken around the country’s ten provinces for the citizens to pay their respect to former head of state.
Dr. Kenneth Kaunda died on the 17th of June 2021, and will be buried on Wednesday 7th July 2021 at the Presidential Burial Site in Lusaka.
Meanwhile, Former Mufumbwe District Administrative Officer (DAO) Patson Mulaisho has described the late First Republican President Kenneth Kaunda as the best example of a selfless leader the African Continent, and Zambia in particular was blessed with.
Mr Mulaisho told ZANIS in an interview today that Dr Kaunda’s selflessness can be seen mainly through his fight against tribalism and the desire to give a better life to all Zambians as opposed to enriching himself and his colleagues.
The former Mufumbwe DAO explained that Kaunda’s heart to promote unity and love as opposed to tribalism and regional divisions was seen in the deployment of people in the civil service.
He said Dr Kaunda had a strategy of deploying people to work in regions where they did not originate from so as to promote the spirit of oneness among Zambians through the One Zambia, One Nation motto.
“For instance, that time we had governors in these districts, he would transfer a person from Eastern Province to come and serve in North-Western Province. He would get someone from North-Western Province and take them to Northern Province.
All this was done because he knew that this strategy would eventually result in things like inter-marriages and language sharing which would help destroy the tribalism mentality,” said Mr Mulaisho.
He stressed that Dr Kaunda’s commitment to the fight against tribalism was even seen in his disciplinary action against his cabinet members and those he appointed to serve the nation.
And Mr Mulaisho noted that Dr Kaunda’s selflessness can also be seen in the way he managed the Country’s resources for the good of the majority Zambians adding that he put the interest of others first as opposed to his.
The retired Mufumbwe DAO recalls a time when President Kaunda’s government nationalized industries including some mines and how people like him benefited through free education.
“Because these industries were in the hands of government, whatever profits were realized from these industries were used to bring goods into the country as well as providing quality social services such as health and education. Some of us received free education from grade one up to college, the government was paying for us as we came from humble backgrounds, because the government had enough resources to sponsor us,” he added.
He has since implored the current leaders and those to come to emulate President Kaunda’s selflessness as they aspire to lead the Zambian people.
Where are the hudge numbers ?
This parading of a closed coffin should not have gone ahead.
Southern province is not made up of tribalists as some wrongly suggest .They loved KK in southern province .
So the Kaunda family was behind the idea of Globetrotting KK’s dead body across country…and the fake news media reported otherwise
This country wide tour is s bad idea. Huge numbers & covid regardless of masking up is still not very safe. We can’t have two crowd pulling events I.e. election campaigns & kk body tour running in parallel at the height of covid. My 2 ngwee
PF are openly campaigning but people are not stupid anymore. These are all PF machinations to hoodwink the would be voter to vote for them. They are so desperate it’s sad to see. That even see mama Inonge to be part of the corrupt gang is outrageous and ridiculous. And she still doing it without shame. I think Patson Mulaisho means well but he has given the PF government food for thought. I like it very much.
PF are openly campaigning but people are not stupid anymore. These are all PF machinations to hoodwink the would be voter to vote for them. They are so desperate it’s sad to see, that even mama Inonge is happy to be a part of the corrupt gang. I find this outrageous and ridiculous. And she still doing it without shame. I think Patson Mulaisho means well but he has given the PF government food for thought. I like it very much.
LET THIS PASS PLEASE,,,WE ALL HAVE VASTLY DIFFERENT VIEWS ON KK
ONE THINK FOR SURE IS LOSING A FATHER IS A VERY SAD TIME FOR THE FAMILY
THEY THE FAMILY DESERVE SOME PEACE AND RESPECT
I CERTAINLY WILL ACCORD THEM THAT IN THEIR TIME OF GRIEF
Super Ken and team were selfless leaders who meant well to serve the nation before self. Whilst the current inclusive the opposition are there to serve and line their pockets. A good example before last parliament was dissolved they offered themselves salary increments and none of them raised a point of order they all remained MUTE like a frozen computer. KK’s legacy should be a big lesson for all of us
One Zambia one nation. The t.o.n.g.a people are very welcoming and kind. Their women are very beautiful too. A few rotten ones especially those in upnd give southern a bad name. Thank you for the hospitality. Twalumba
These gatherings are Covid-19 Super Spreaders. In one of the pictures Panji Kaunda is seen maskless. This is a recipe for Covid-19 infections. Without Body Viewing this exercise is meant to gain Political Capital by PF. The exercise apart from being a Covid-19 Super Spreader is costly to the National Treasury. The Money being wasted could have been better used buying Covid-19 Test Kits or Covid-19 Vaccines. The writing is on the wall.
Passing the empty coffin from one group of solders with no gloves in Lusaka to another group in Choma then move to a stadium….if you want to see how covid-19 is spread here is a typical example.
These gatherings are Covid-19 Super Spreaders. In one of the pictures Panji Kaunda is seen maskless. This is a recipe for Covid-19 infections. Without Body Viewing this exercise is meant to gain Political Capital by PF. The exercise apart from being a Covid-19 Super Spreader is costly to the National Treasury. The Money being wasted could have been better used buying Covid-19 Test Kits or Covid-19 Vaccines. The writing is on the wall.
The KK family should have said no to this especially that there is no body viewing. They should have instead requested government to use the resources to fight Covid-19.
Kwanu kwahae alulati kusi tisa kwateni situpu seo!
Funerals are the silent super spreader in zambia, in other countries we saw how only trained officials covered from head to toe were the only ones conducting burials with maybe two or three family members of the deceased, but here the entire church members, work mates, komboni mates, political party mates and the entire family clan members will be present at the burial site amidst a ravaging deadly corona virus, IT’S SAD.
The kaunda family should have said No but
Just to please the government they accepted this.Zambians are more worried about how to put food on table as well as
Corvid then to line up to see a closed coffin.
Am enjoying the freedom today because somebody fought it for me. Rest in peace KK
How much fuel and allowances are involved. Just asking.
The World Over Funerals are known to be Covid-19 Super Spreaders. That is why the number of mourners are restricted to 50 People per funeral. The Govt seeks to gain Political Capital while putting mourners at risk of Covid-19 Infections. This will not influence the way People will vote. Its being irresponsible on the part of this ECL Govt to spend so much money on these KK Funeral tours instead of using the money to buy Oxygen,Test kits or vaccines for Covid-19. This Govt’s priorities are always upside down. A Govt associated with such fiscal profligacy shouldn’t be re-elected. To give another 5 years to Corrupt and Wasteful ECL is criminal. Zambians have an opportunity to vote out this Corrupt, wasteful, incompetent and clueless Lungu. The writing is on the wall.
How do we know that KK’s Body is in that Coffin? Maybe they have just loaded the Coffin with clothes or something else. How do we know its KK’s Boby in there without Body Viewing? Just trying to get Political mileage but that won’t happen becoz People have already decided. The Govt is wasting scarce financial resources on this exercise instead of paying Drs their arrears or buy test kits for Covid-19. Such an irresponsible and Wasteful Govt should not be re-elected. Zambians will blame themselves should they re-elect this violent, Corrupt, wasteful, incompetent and Visionless ECL.
The decision to take Super Ken across the provinces has been made and is now in effect, lets support it. Lets not be divided on this. Lets ensure we are safe, we all know what to do to be safe. Looking at the footage from Choma last night I am inclined to say it was a good idea. A shot of the open casket confirmed the old man was actually inside, it was not empty. The organisers appear to have done their best to ensure Covid-19 guidelines are followed, lets support their effort. I look forward to paying my last respects when he comes to our province. I will stand along the road and wave my white handkerchief.
MHSRIP
Those soldiers look tired. This is supposed to be done with military precision. If you are going to parade our KK around the country then please do it properly and with dignity. No half baked. Select the best looking soldiers not tired ones with pot bellies full of beer. This is Zambia’s history in the making. Do it so that it can be shown to generation after generation. We demand very high standards from our men in uniform. Eagle 001 has fallen.
Imwe the casket is opened as Signatories sign the book of condolescences. But please let’s be sensitive to the Kaunda family. They have lost a father, please no unnecessary rude or sarcastic comments. Meanwhile PF are still going on with their obsession of HH as though we are not in mourning?. Is UpND the only opposition party in these elections? Let the Kaunda family mourn in dignity please.