Rupiah Banda at the commemoration of Africa Freedom Day at the freedom
statue in Lusaka
LUSAKA, 29th October, 2014— His Excellency Mr Rupiah Bwezani Banda, the Fourth President of the Republic of Zambia, has described the late Zambian President, His Excellency Mr Michael Chilufya Sata, as a passionate and determined competitor who should be mourned with dignity and honour.
President Banda has also appealed to Zambians to set aside the ideas that separate them and embrace the humanity and dignity that defines them as a people.In his message of condolences, President Banda has said the late President was more than a public servant and was a Zambian, in body, soul, and spirit.He has urged all Zambians to remain patient and have trust in one another as the country mourns the late head of State.
President Banda this morning phoned President Sata’s son, Mulenga, in London to convey his condolences to the Sata family.
Below is President Banda’s statement in full
Brothers and Sisters, we find ourselves in mourning today with the devastating news of our President’s passing.
Michael Chilufya Sata was more than a public servant. He was a passionate competitor, a man of conviction and determination. He was also a loving son, a husband, a father, and to me, despite everything we have been through, a friend.
Above all, Michael Sata was a Zambian, in body, soul, and spirit.
In these moments of grief, my thoughts and prayers are with the President’s family. Though the sadness weighs heavily on your hearts, may God grant you peace, strength, and resolve.
You may count on the support of your fellow countrymen in this difficult time.It is natural that some people may feel a passionate reaction to this sadness.
But it is most important in this moment to remain calm; to reflect and honour the President with dignity. Others may be unsettled and searching for answers, but we must remain patient and have trust in one another.
As a country, we have gone through this before, and we made it to the other side because we were united.
Let this be a time that we set aside the ideas that separate us, and embrace the humanity and dignity that unites us as a country and defines us as a people.
For now, we all mourn and pray for the Sata family, who shall feel our love and compassion. But we will also remain strong, and remember that the darkest hour comes before dawn.
Issued by:Kennedy Limwanya
DEPUTY ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT
Well said, ba Banda.
May Micheal Chilufya Sata enjoy eternal peace with his creator.
May peace reign in our land!
I dont know if he has passed away but if he has I am not sure this speech was necessary
Time to pray not this political campaigning albeit subtly
Thanks
Can’t wait to hear what Mr. H has to say. He will probably pretend that it is sorrowful when in actual fact he is celebrating down deep his heart. What he had always wished for has finally come.
Cremate him right there in the UK and scatter his ashes in no man’s land. He has wasted enough of our money to be accorded a state funeral. Too many innocent children died from minor illnesses because money meant for health care from donor aids was diverted to Sata and his family!
RB, stop saying sweet things just because Sata has died. How can you fear someone when they are dead and call them names when they are alive. Your court cases will not disappear just like that. You’ll have to defend your innocence!
@Death Angel,
I dont see why people have to always pretend just because someone has died. Pretending is exactly what leads to the kind of conflicts that we have witnessed in the PF. Everyone pretends to be loyal and nice to Sata. Now look where he has ended up and the consititutional criss we have ended up in?
Speak the truth and let those that saw evil in Sata celebrate his death. He lied his way to plot one and he even lied on his way to the grave.
This is how you give a statement on death of your “competitor”, not what I just read from my ex-leader Miyanda. That was NOT cool.
I don’t see any Lungus, and Scott in that message.
Ruphiah should issue 3 more of those statements, that noble.
Again, please don’t for me as best LT blogger. I suspend all such celebratory activities. I mourn with you.
@ 1.3 Dalitso, you may celebrate and be as derogatory as you like about Sata’s death. Remember that two wrongs do not make a right. Maybe you are just as evil if not worse.
Mushota is a canterkerous foo’l!
This is what makes us as Zambians to be peaceful. We should remain calm, collected and united.
@MUSHOTA: You are an *****. How can you say that when Government has confirmed the passing on of our president. Stop mocking the dead
Atage 77 what was he doing still leading a country? He should have been retiring telling stories to his grand kids.
Very correct. Especially given the fact that he was in UNIP, MMD and finally pathetic failure. Agony is fighting and lying to get the presidency for 10 years only to get it and not enjoy it due to illness and old age! Ironic to note that RB’s tenure as president was actually longer than that of the now deceased butcher of Chawama and Merzaf swindler.
So now we have three presidents in a row failing to finish a whole 5 year term….
RIP HEMC
I really loved our President, I know he did not know me but I really campaigned for him when he came into power such that I even injured my leg which has a scar but I did not care because all I wanted was to see him as President of the republic of Zambia. When I heard that, he has passed away I really cried like a baby. Bashi Chilufya you will really be missed because you have left a big gap which will never be filled because you were so practical in your dealings. Indeed you are a true son of your father and Zambia as a whole. May your soul rest in enternal peace.
Well said badaala. Majwi abapati. Indeed in times like this we all unite despite our differences. It appears hoodlums like Dalitso @1.3 and Suntwe @1.4 have never experienced death in their families, else they are just brats who think they are intelligent. Indeed, they are Suntwes.
Your exellency RB hw come u neva said such sweet things abt him when he ws alive?
WE KNOW THE GENUINE MOURNERS. WE WILL NOW SEE A LOT OF HYPOCRITES, PEOPLE WHO WERE CALLING HIS EXCELLENCY ALL SORTS OF NAMES.
UP TO NOW HH AND ENTIRE UPND MEDIA TEAM HAS FAILED TO ISSUE A MESSAGE OF CONDOLENCES. EVERY ZAMBIAN IS WATCHING HH. AND HOW CAN RB ONLY THINK ABOUT THE COMPETITION HE HAD WITH MCS IN POLITICS? wE BELIEVE THESE PEOPLE HAVE ACTUALLY BEEN FAMILY FIRENDS. THAT IS WHAT HE SHOULD HAVE FOCUSED ON. WE SHALL SEE A LOT OF FAKE MOURNERS.
Why should HH say anything about the passing of that devil? If you ask me, it is a waste of time saying anything good about Sata. A lot of us are in celebratory mood, so please don’t spoil our party. We waited for this for a long time. God has a way of punishing evil people. He let them die painful death in far foreign country. Welcome to cargo section Mr. Resident. Please fasten your belt and enjoy your flight back home.
Well spoken words of wisdom from a mature level headed leader.
Well spoken PM. Being a chain smoker comes with tragic consequences. The presidency is overrated so to speak – we have had no president but our country is still functioning.
Let’s not forget that each and everyone of us will die some day. The people of our day will pay homage or talk trash about us. Death is a non-discriminating girl. She is fair and she is ruthless. So no need to BS one another when one of us precedes the others in this death business. We all will die one day. Sata was an a**. I hope someone will have the courage to speak his truth on my grave. Lucky for me, I won’t hear sh*t. Sata is just as lucky.