ZAMBIA’S first Republican President Dr Kenneth Kaunda on Tuesday night sang a love song dedicated to his wife Mama Betty when he received the Mahatma Gandhi International (MAGI) Award for Peace and Reconciliation, a short while before he learnt of her death.

Dr Kaunda, who was in Durban, South Africa, to receive the Mahatma Gandhi International (MAGI) Award for Peace and Reconciliation said he was unable to be with his wife by his side because she was still recovering from a stroke, but that he would sing a love song he used to sing for her when they just met.

The emotional love song talked about how Dr Kaunda would never forget the first kiss he shared with late mama Betty, sounding as if saying goodbye to the person who had been his wife for 66 years. This was a few hours before Mama Betty died in her sleep while visiting the daughter, Musata, in Harare, Zimbabwe.

During the gala-ceremony held at Durban City Hall, Dr Kaunda was presented with the award in recognition of his humility, courage, selflessness and conviction in the struggle against the oppression of his own people in Zambia, the support and assistance given to South Africa during the struggle against apartheid and the negotiation process; and for continuing the work of building peace in the continent in true Gandhian tradition.

Receiving the award, Dr Kaunda said he accepted the award with humility knowing that there were other luminaries who were deserving of the award.

He said he was grateful that the Trust had recognised his modest passion towards peace in the world.

Dr Kaunda said in the most difficult years of colonialism in Zambia, he and his colleagues remained faithful to the Gandhian teachings.

He said in 1958 some prominent Indian businessmen who were resident in Zambia contributed funds to enable him travel to India, a country which had already achieved Independence, in order to compare notes on tactics to be used on the similar struggle in the country.

Dr Kaunda also mentioned the meetings he held with successive leaders who served in the then apartheid regime in South Africa with a view to resolving matters peacefully.

“I therefore wish to accept this award with a deep sense of humility in the name of the men and women who paid a big sacrifice in the interest of peace, harmony and tranquility for succeeding generations…may the good Lord continue to bless you,” said Dr Kaunda to rapturous applause and a standing ovation, But before he could deliver the speech to accept the award.

Dr Kaunda also led the audience into singing his now traditional “we shall fight and conquer AIDS” song.

Introducing Dr Kaunda to the podium to receive the award, member of the Gandhi development Trust Board Paddy Kearney said critical of the socio-political situation in Africa, Dr Kaunda was in the forefront of the efforts to liberate African countries.

He said as a great friend of South Africa’s leaders like Oliver Tambo, Chris Hani and Walter Sisulu, Dr Kaunda was an open supporter of the anti-apartheid movement and other African liberation movements.

Kearney said the release of statesman Nelson Mandela from prison took place under Dr Kaunda’s leadership as the chairman of the Front-line States.

He said when Dr Kaunda was defeated by late Frederick Chiluba in the 1991 multi-party elections, he graciously accepted defeat, and has now engaged himself in several charities, chief of which are those dedicated to the fight against the spread of HIV/AIDS.

Those who received the other award called the Satyagraha included former freedom fighters Denis Golberg, Mewa Ramgobin, Susan Barbara Britton, Zak Yacoob, while ANC Founder John Langalibalele Dube and late Black Consciousness Movement leaders Bantu Stephen Biko received the award posthumously.

Prominent among those who attended the ceremony included Premier of Kwazulu Natal province Dr Zweli Mukize, some South African judges and Zambia’s High Commissioner to South African His Excellency Mr Muyeba Chikonde.

After the packed gala dinner, the former President held a meeting with Zambians living in South Africa at Coastland Hotel where he was lodging and urged them to always uphold the “One Zambia, One Nation Motto” wherever they were.

However, Dr Kaunda’s award has been overshadowed by the demise of Mama Betty who passed on a few hours after he was honoured.

This message was released by Patson Chilemba First Secretary (Press) at the Zambia High Commission in South Africa

The Media Institute Southern Africa (MISA-Zambia) has refuted allegations that it is a partisan organisation.

MISA Zambia acting Chairperson, Nalumino Nalumino says his organisation will continue being non-partisan and will always be unbiased.

Mr. Nalumino told journalists in Lusaka today that allegations by Patriotic Front youths that the organisation was a political appendage and that it was embroiled in financial irregularities were unfounded.

He explained that MISA Zambia is a member driven regional organisation that has a strong governance structure which starts with the Annual General Meeting (AGM) that approves Audited Financial Reports and appoints auditors.

Mr. Nalumino further explained that the organisation has a National Governing Council (NGC), elected at the AGM every three years, which approves annual plans and budgets during quarterly meetings.

He said in line with good corporate governance practices, the NGC provides guidance and checks and balances to the organisation.

Mr. Nalumino said MISA Zambia found the allegations levelled against it as malicious and unfounded alleging that there was a well orchestrated campaign to discredit the image of the organisation.

He noted that the organisation has scored a number of achievements such as the enactment of the 2010 Independent Broadcasting Authority and the Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation (ZNBC) Acts and the recently launched Zambia Media Council (ZAMEC).

Mr. Nalumino further noted that MISA Zambia has contributed to the growth of Community Radio Stations through grants, equipment acquisition and capacity building among others.

He said the organisation is not amused by the accusations because it receives such complaints from all political players which showed that it is a credible institution that is non-partisan.

Mr. Nalumino has since appealed to the government to create an enabling environment for the media to operate freely.

A few weeks ago, some Patriotic Front youths issued a statement that MISA Zambia did not condemn UPND’s William Banda after he ‘strangled’ a Muvi TV Journalist and a few days ago the UPND also complained about their silence over the harassment of Post Photo Journalist, Salim Dawood by PF cadres at an aborted rally in Kanyama.

ZANIS

FIRST Lady Christine Kaseba has described the death of Mama Betty Kaunda as shocking and heartbreaking.Dr Kaseba said the death is a great loss as the former First Lady was a source of inspiration not only to Zambians, but to the African continent as a whole.
She said in a telephone interview from Namibia, where she is attending an African conference on sexual health and rights, that the death of Mama Betty was received with utmost sadness by participants at the conference.
“When the death of Mama Betty was announced, everyone in the conference murmured with shock.Namibia’s President Hifikepunye Pohamba, who officially opened the conference, requested us to observe a minute of silence. It is sad that at a time when she (Betty) was learning to come out and be herself, she is no more. We pray that our father (Dr Kaunda) will find solace in God’s hands,” Dr Kaseba said.

She said it is sad that Mrs Kaunda, who was the mother of the nation, has died after celebrating her 66th wedding anniversary.

“The two (Dr Kaunda and Betty) were inseparable. She was our mother and so she will be missed dearly,” she said.Dr Kaseba appealed to Zambians to mourn Mama Betty with respect, love and dignity.She said Mama Betty was an icon of female emancipation, adding that she united the nation.

She said Zambians should bury their political differences and mourn her in unity.

“The Patriotic Front government has opened its doors to every Zambian and it is for this reason that for the first time in many years, we saw Mama Betty attending State functions.

“It is in this vein that I ask all Zambians to love one another and remain united,” she said.

And former First Lady Maureen Mwanawasa said Mama Betty will be remembered for being part of the great history of Zambia.
“That is a fact and no one can take that away from her. We need to give her respect for her contribution to the country, by mourning her peacefully and respectfully. Her death should unite the country,” Mrs Mwanawasa said.

She said the death of Mama Betty is depressing, adding that this is the time for Zambians to unite.

“In the last four years, we have seen so many of our great leaders die and it is depressing.
“I have interacted with Mama Betty in the last few months and she looked bubbly but we cannot ask God why He had to take her away. We can only ask Him to give us grace and wisdom to handle the funeral properly,” she said.

Freedom fighter Mama Chibesa Kankasa said Mrs Kaunda will be remembered for inspiring women in the country.
“Betty was a strong woman. During hardships, she would sell charcoal to ensure that her children went to school,” she said.

Mama Kankasa said the former First Lady also encouraged her husband to work hard during his reign as republican President.
Non-Governmental Organisations Co-ordinating Council chairperson Beatrice Grillo said Mama Betty will be greatly missed for her role in the country’s liberation struggle.

[Zambia Daily Mail]

Government has said that it is saddened by the death of the former first lady Mama Betty Kaunda, wife to the first Republican President Kenneth Kaunda.

Acting Secretary to the Cabinet Roland Msisika said government has since made arrangements for the body to be flown back today , Thursday 20th September, 2012.

This is in a press statement made available to ZANIS in Lusaka yesterday by Acting Secretary to the Cabinet Dr Roland Msiska.

Dr Msiska said that President Michael Sata will lead family representatives and family members to receive the body of the former first lady which will arrive at Kenneth Kaunda International Airport at 13:00hrs aboard a South African Chartered flight.

He also explained that Dr Kaunda and other family members will accompany the body from Zimbabwe into the country.

Dr Msiska said the funeral will be held at their home behind State Lodge Police Camp and the nation will be kept informed of other funeral arrangements in due course.

Mama Kaunda was born on November 17th 1928 in Mpika and was Zambia’s first lady from October 1964 to November 1991.

She leaves behind her husband, eight children, 30 grand children and 11 great grand children.

ZANIS