Veteran politician and former freedom fighter Samuel Mbilishi is dead. The deceased was over 100 years old.
Mr. Mbilishi, who was 107 years old, died in Lusaka yesterday at his farm in Katuba area in Chibombo district.
His son, Douglas confirmed the death of his father in a statement to ZANIS in Lusaka yesterday.
He paid tribute to his father who he said was a gallant freedom fighter who sacrificed for Zambia’s independence struggle.
Douglas said his father served in the first Cabinet of former President Kenneth Kaunda and was also appointed as a diplomat in the United States of America and other countries.
The late Mr. Mbilishi was chairperson of the Luvale Local Authority and served in various portfolios in the United National Independence Party (UNIP) including that of Member of the Central Committee (MCC).
The late Mr. Mbilishi working together with many other gallant sons and daughters of Zambia which include Dr.. Kenneth Kaunda, Sikota Wina, the late Harry Mwaanga Nkumbula, Grey Zulu, the late Simon Mwansa Kapwepwe, the late Kapasa Makasa, the late Humphrey Mulemba, the late Mainza Chona, the late Nalumino Mundia, the late Lawrence Katilungu, the late Mama Julia Chikamoneka, the late Godwin Mbikusita-Lewanika and the late Munukayumbwa Sipalo.
Others are the late Dr. Peter Matoka, the late Solomon Kalulu, the late Robinson Puta and Sir Gore Brown.
And sister to the deceased, Betty Chilunga described the late Mr. Mbilishi as a dynamic and hardworking person.
Ms. Chilunga, a freedom fighter also, said Zambia has been robbed of gallant son of the soil.
“The family and nation at large have been robbed of a gallant and hardworking person whose services shall greatly be missed,” Ms. Chilunga said.
She said his brother spoke highly against tribalism, nepotism and regionalism in the country.
She said there will be a church service for the late Mbilishi at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross on Friday, 23 October 2015.
The late Mr. Mbilishi will be buried at Leopards Hill Memorial Park in Lusaka, a day before Zambia celebrates her 51st independence anniversary.
May His indomitable spirit rest in eternity of peace. He was Gallant soldier of ages. The man was a tested patriot who served his role very well. He never looked at tribe or age of those he met or worked with. I recall times that i visited Zambezi district, i first stopped at Mr. Mbilishi’s nice home built just by the river side when you enter Zambezi district. He was mentored people and talked with passion about Zambia. He shared a perfect and humble spirit of love with his dearest son i new from his days as Electric Engineer at Zesco.
Salutations Muzee Mbilishi!
I knew him when he served as MCC for Southern Province based in Livingstone. I also knew his sons and grandsons rather well. Has he been accorded a state or official funeral? Being a freedom fighter, he should be accorded a state funeral.
Never heard of him.
Uncle Douglas, my deepest condolences to you for the passing of this great man…Rex and Ian Mbilishi; stay strong and celebrate the life this man was given…will be dearly missed…
MHSRIP gallant people.
HE WAS A REAL PATRIOT NOT PF CADRE.A CREAM OF KK ADMINISTRATION WHICH ALL ZAMBIANS SHOULD COPY FROM.MYSRIP,WE LOVED YOU AND WE SHALL MISS YOU
Condolences to the family. A real freedom fighter. And he died at home and not MillPark or Morningside. i admire leaders from KK’s administration. Why din’t our past presidents honour such a son of the Zambia soil? Someone turns 100 & over 100 and not even an acknowledge. Shame on Lungu, Sata and RB.
UPND morons there is a time for everything. If you have something nasty to say, go to Zambian watchdog; the filth that is uttered there is from angry uncouth people. Here respect a patriot.
107 years old. What kind of weed was this guy smokin? Much kudos to the old goat. Some of us will be lucky to live to half his age.
MAY HIS SOUL REST IN ETERNAL PEACE – HE WAS A GALANT AND DEDICATED ZAMBIAN, SON OF THE SOIL.
A person can live longer if he/she forgets about town life. People should remember that there are more problems in towns that in the village
the bible teaches how someone can live a long life here on earth, if only you stay away from sin. imagine today someone can have sex with may be 5 ladies/men per week with a condom or no condom by the time they get married or reach 30yrs they’re finish with diseases. our great great papa and mama knew nothing about condom, only knew to have one wife and husband. talk about girlfriend and boy friend it was a taboo to them, today people say it is my life leave alone no wonder we a dying like flies. wake up! you people and turn to God before you perish in your sins.
May his soul rest in peace- I remember this family way back in the 80s when this family shifted from Lusaka to Zambezi near Zambezi primary School. Condolences to the family.
May the soul of our freedom fighter Samuel Mbilishi rest in Peace. As they say, old warriors never die but just fade away, as they remain within our collective memory. Mr. Mbilishi has gone to join what in the words of John Mbiti are referred to as “the living-dead”. God grant strength to the family and friends left behind.
I remember this guy. He was given 11 kwacha as his retirement package.
mhhhh k11 as a retirement package? If life were football he would have won Jersey 11 in KK 11 line up because another gallant son of Zambia, Ucar Godfrey Chitalu, in Jersey 10 scored 107 goals in a season.
Living 107 years a lifetime, Samuel forms part of the cream of high scoring Zambians who like Ucar were not sufficiently rewarded or appreciated.
Go, receive your eternal reward from the Creator. Greet all our heroes even as we celebrate the freedom you fought for. RIP.
Samuel Mbilishi did not serve in Kaunda’s first Cabinet as the son claims but yes, he was a gallant freedom fighter who deserves a State Funeral….
I remember very Much the late Mr. Samuel Mhilishi when he save as MCC for Central Province when he Officially Launched Kafushi Rice Project in 1977 when I was in grade 4. Condolence to the family
Then Project he launched to date is one of the biggest, beautiful technical Kafushi Secondary School in Central Province in Chibombo
Comment: 107 years? Zimbabwean president Mugabe would surpass that age, i believe.
Vj Rigger. Read your Zambian history.
Comment:he was a true son of Zambian…MHSRIP grand pa