President Hakainde Hichilema says Zambia owes the late Second Republican President, Frederick Chiluba, a debt of gratitude for championing democracy, workers’ rights and citizen empowerment.
President Hichilema, has described Dr Chiluba as a great son of the nation, who dedicated his life to service as a trade unionist, politician and Head of State.
The President, who was represented by Vice President, Mutale Nalumango, was speaking during the 15th Memorial Church Service for Dr Chiluba at the Anglican Cathedral of the Holy Cross in Lusaka.
President Hichilema said many remember Dr Chiluba for his early years as a fearless trade unionist who fought for workers’ rights.
“Many remember Dr Chiluba as a visionary union leader, on whose shoulders the labour movement stands today,” he said.
The President singled out the late Dr Chiluba’s role in ending Zambia’s one-party state, saying for this reason, many remember him as a man whose determination to fight for the country’s return to multi-party democracy changed the political landscape of the country.
He also credited the late President with driving citizen empowerment through housing, transport, and small business initiatives.
President Hichilema further commended the late Second Republican President for his immense contribution to the development trajectory of the country.
“We honour His Excellency Dr Chiluba for championing democracy in our nation and the growing democratic dispensation is testament that his contributions to this cause were not in vain,” he added.
He urged Zambians to continue honouring Dr Chiluba’s patriotism, visionary leadership, and commitment to a better Zambia.
Late Second Republican President, Dr Chiluba’s daughter, Hulda Chiluba, who represented the siblings, recalled how the father brought democracy in 1991 and believed the ballot was stronger than the bullet.
She added that at home Dr Chiluba’s core lesson was that leadership is not about being served but about serving.
“Legacy is not status or policies, but what he left in the hearts of his children, neighbours, and his nation and that made my father rich,” she said.
And, in his homily, Zambia Army Director General, Religious and Moral Service Branch, Shadreck Mwale, described Dr Chiluba as a courageous man who before his ascendancy to the Presidency, led the labour movement as Chairman General of the Zambia Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU).
Brigadier General Mwale praised Dr Chiluba’s housing empowerment policy where he sold some institutional houses in 1995 to sitting tenants at bearing 10 Kwacha, which he said created a number of homeowners among Zambians.
He called on Zambians from all walks of life to emulate the good works and legacy left by the late second Republican President.
Former Vice President, Nevers Mumba, recalled how the media was liberalised during Dr Chiluba’s reign and enabled establishment of private stations.
And Zambia owes Lungu a burial
The short man did not interfere with freedom of speech as much as the cowboy has.
He appointed Chibamba Kanyama as DeadNBC boss and didn’t fire him.
But the cowboy appointed Berry Luando and then shot him DeadNBC.