FATHERS NEVER DIE,,THEY ONLY ENTER INTO REST AND LIVE LONGER THROUGH THE SEED OF A GENERATION THEY HAVE RAISED AND IMPACTED,,,ENTER YOUR REST FTJ
Thank you for your efforts and role to better humanity... Foundation is always critical, the ground has to be broken and levelled, it demands more investment yet it's the shortest,non attractive and unnoticed part of the whole building,you spent more than 17years in trade unions plus the 10years in state house laying the foundation yet you took the rest of your life after that in courts to prove that your duty was not the halls or roof and now you're gone. Thank you once more. Enter your REST FTJ
Tuesday, 28 June 2011
Saturday, 25 June 2011
Who was Dr Chiluba?
His demise is only slightly two months away to coincide with August 19, 2008 when another dark cloud hovered over Zambia following the demise of then incumbent President, Dr Levy Mwanawasa at Percy Military Hospital in France.
Emmanuel Mwamba the spokesperson for the late Dr Chiluba says the former president died at his Kabulonga residence Plot 12-2 Servo Road, due to a stomach pain after midnight.
Funeral gathering moved
Government has since moved the funeral gathering of Dr Chiluba from his residence to Belvedere Lodge in Lusaka.
Mourners will now have to go to Belvedere Lodge on Leopards Hill Road for funeral gathering.
Secretary to Cabinet Dr. Joshua Kanganja announced the shifting of the funeral in a statement to ZNBC News on Sunday.
Dr Kanganja says mourners who wish to visit the bereaved family must therefore go to Belvedere Lodge from Monday 20th – Monday 27th June 2011.
President Banda
For President Rupiah Banda, perhaps this is one of his most trying moments, more so that Dr Chiluba’s demise comes at a time the president is still mourning the loss of his maternal uncle in Chipata.
Both as Vice president and now President, Mr Banda has now witnessed two funerals of high profile individuals in the country’s history – the death of Dr Levy Patrick Mwanawasa, and now that of Dr Chiluba at his Kabulonga residence in Zambia.
While burying his maternal uncle Mwase Banda, 88, on Saturday in Chipata, who is survived by nine children and 28 grand children, President Banda said “life can be hard sometimes in times of bereavement”.
President Banda is also attending a burial of his niece in Mazimoyo in Chipata.
On the late Mwase Banda, President Banda says his family has lost a great man and thanked traditional leaders for their support during the bereavement.
Hailed
On Dr Chiluba, president Banda has hailed the role played by the late Second Republican president in democratizing the country in 1991.
President Banda says Dr Chiluba played an important role in ensuring that peace prevailed in 1991.
He says had it not been for the role Dr Chiluba played; Zambia would have been like other troubled countries on the continent.
Early Life
Dr Chiluba was born to Jacob Titus Chiluba Nkonde and Diana Kaimba and raised up in Kitwe.
He did his secondary education at Kawambwa Secondary School in Kawambwa in Luapula province.
While at School, Dr Chiluba was expelled in the second year due to his political activities.
It was then that he even found his ability to become a politician due to his charismatic personality.
Dr Chiluba later worked as city councilor before becoming an accounts assistant at Atlas Copco, and rose in his rankings, in Ndola where he joined the National Union of Building.
ZCTU
Dr Chiluba later won the chairmanship of the Zambia Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU).
He was then with several leaders in ZCTU detained in 1981 by President Kenneth Kaunda for calling a wildcat strike that paralyzed most of the Zambian economy.
The union leaders were released after a judge ruled their detention as unconstitutional.
In 1987, he again successfully defended his chairmanship of NUBEGW, which would have threatened his removal from ZCTU as president, had he lost it.
Personal Life
Dr Frederick Chiluba has nine children: Helen, Miko, Hortensia, Castro (late), Chongo, Kaindu, Hildah, Frederick Jr and Verocia.
Dr Chiluba had his longest marriage with Vera Tembo (currently Zambia’s Tourism and Environment Deputy Minister), spanning 30 years, who he divorced in 2000.
Dr Chiluba later married Regina Mwanza, who he leaves behind at his death.
Political career
Born 68 years ago, Dr Frederick Jacob Titus Chiluba was a Zambian politician and trade unionist.
Dr Chiluba a trade union leader won the country's multi-party presidential election under the Movement for Multi-Party Democracy (MMD) held on 31st October 1991, defeating Dr Kaunda in a historic landslide victory.
In that election, Dr Chiluba polled 972 212 votes, representing a 75.8% victory against Dr Kaunda’s 311, 022 votes, translating into 24.24% defeat for the United National Independence Party- UNIP, out of the entire 1,283,234 votes cast, with 41 531 invalid ballots.
At National Assembly level, Dr Chiluba’s MMD amassed 125 Members of Parliament countrywide, while UNIP only Managed 25, bringing the total to 158 MPs including 8 appointed by the President under Constitutional mandate.
Dr Chiluba was sworn-in on 2nd November 1991 and handed over the instrument of power to administer the country’s affairs and development agenda.
Dr Chiluba re-elected 1996
Five years after a landslide victory of 1991, Dr Chiluba would on 18 November 1996 face other serious contenders for his office.
But Dr Chiluba still thrashed his contenders with 913 770, a 72.59% victory over his challengers: Late Dean Namulya Mung’omba of Zambia Democratic Congress (ZADECO) who polled 160 439 votes (12.75%), Late Humphrey Mulemba of the National Party with 83 875 votes (6.66%), Akashambatwa Mbikusita Lewanika of Agenda for Zambia (AZ), 59, 250 ballots (4.71%) and the late Chama Chakomboka of the Movement for Democratic Process (MDP) ending the list of losers with 41, 471 votes, a translation of 3.29% of total votes cast out of 1,258,805 - this time with 66, 248 invalid votes.
At parliamentary level, Dr Chiluba still commanded the house with 131 elected plus 8 appointed MPs while the rest were taken by: ZADECO 2, 10 independents, 5 for National Party and 2 by Agenda for Zambia.
Housing policy
As part of the party programmes, in 1996, Dr Chiluba ordered sale of all council and parastatal houses to sitting tenants.
The programme saw a number of Zambians owning homes.
In addition, president Chiluba is best remembered by the presence of the Benny Mwiinga Housing Complex (named after the late former Local Government and Housing Minister), on Great East Road behind Chainama Hills Hospital, popularly known as PHI-Presidential Housing Initiative.
Under President Rupiah Banda who is also MMD president, the housing empowerment programme has continued.
April this year in Kitwe on the Copperbelt Province of Zambia, president Banda ordered complete sale of parastatal houses to sitting tenants.
This signified the consistence of the MMD party founded by Dr Chiluba.
President Banda has continued to build on the promises made by the MMD, his predecessors and his own campaigns promises in the 2008 presidential elections.
Dr Chiluba 1991-2001
When he assumed state control, Dr Frederick Chiluba was committed to extensive economic reform.
His government privatized many state industries, and maintained positive real interest rates.
Zambia had for almost three decades been under a command system of economy which largely entailed an avalanche of exchange controls.
This meant that foreign investment would not flow into the country, largely because the economic policies were not very conducive to foreign investors.
Even further, because of what donors regarded as unsound economic management policies at the time, they stopped the balance of payment support to Zambia.
In turn, this saw most, if not all of Zambia’s paratstals reeling under the pangs of less funding to the extent that the country was almost grinding to a halt.
Worse still, the price of the base metal –copper, one of Zambia’s major traditional export was nose diving.
Therefore as the impact of Zambia’s economic down turn in the 80s to early 90s continued to worsen, almost all sectors of the country’s development agenda were paralyzed forcing the birth of long queues of people for little supplies, albeit with coupons.
Inflation was in double digits with more money than commodities available to buy.
Dr Chiluba’s economic drive
Realising these challenges, Dr Chiluba eliminated deterrents to foreign investment such as exchange controls, among others, and endorsed the free market concept.
The change in the economic management system saw a paradigm shift in the country’s economic extrapolation.
The IMF and World Bank were now ready to support the privatisation drive which saw the giant parastatal, Zambian Consolidated Copper Mines (ZCCM) dismantled.
Donors immediately resumed balance-of-payment support bringing a new lease of life in the mining sector, which had dropped to its knees.
But Zambia at the time of Dr Chiluba’s Government still had another major hurdle, the inherited external debt which had soured in trillions of Kwacha and most of the country’s resources would end up servicing the external indebtedness at the expense of supporting the local economy and social sectors.
This among other reasons, led Zambia to accumulate an insurmountable debt of United States Dollars 7.1billion, prompting a drive which saw the coming on board of the debt cancellation agents such as International Jubilee 2000, on the local front, partnered by Jesuit Centre for Theological Reflection and other civil society organisations in Zambia.
Zambia qualified to the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) Initiative, one of the main criterions for debt cancellation.
These efforts however went beyond Dr Chiluba’s tenure as President, but under his party, the MMD.
The IMF and World Bank remained open to re-negotiate some previously agreed performance criteria as late as 2003, including the sale of Zambia National Commercial Bank, Zamtel and ZESCO with late President Dr Mwanawasa.
The lack of stable balance of payment support Dr Chiluba found, in essence meant that the country did or the Zambian Government did not have resources for capital investment.
Thus periodically, the previous Government had to issue bonds or otherwise expand the money supply to meet its spending and debt obligations.
The economic and fiscal policies implemented by Dr Chiluba, to some extent changed the scenario although the real economic emancipation was long term vision, even under the present government still being pursued.
Transport sector
At a time Dr Chiluba became president, it was almost a nightmare to travel from one town to another as there was limited transport in the public sector.
The only national courier, UBZ – United Bus Company of Zambia with its slogan “you will be there”, was reeling under insufficient funding and therefore unreliable to fulfill its motto.
UBZ had become a failure of itself due to continued loss making, resulting in annihilation of both operating and investment capital.
Thus travelers forever made endless queues day and night with some of them losing their luggage to unscrupulous call boys.
Dr Chiluba’s remedy
Dr Chiluba thus eliminated inhibitive imports and other duties at boarder point with a view to allow more players in the sector buy public conveyance vehicles.
As head of state then and beyond his life on earth, it is indisputable that the late Dr Chiluba epitomizes the revolution in Zambia’s today improved transport sector.
This legacy, he passed it on to his two predecessors, the late Dr Mwanawasa and incumbent Rupiah Banda.
Foreign relations
On 15th November 1994, Dr Chiluba brokered the Angola peace protocol that saw two Angolan leaders Edwardo Dos Santos and Jonas Malheiro Savimbi shake hands following the agreement for the ceasefire.
The UN was represented by its Secretary General in Angola Mr Alioune Blondin Beye and other representatives from the United States of America, Russia and Portugal.
However, Angola did not see immediate return to peace until rebel leader Jonas Malheiro Savimbi born August 3, 1934, was killed on February 22, 2002, near Lucusse, in Angola.
The failure by Angolan leaders then to implement the Lusaka protocol did not take away Dr Chiluba’s peace efforts at international level.
Congo DR
Following the rebellion against late Congolese President Joseph Desire Kabila, Dr Chiluba was on October 27 1998 as president of Zambia mandated to press on with peace initiative to end the war.
This followed inconclusive consultations in Lusaka between regional foreign and defence ministers.
On May 4 the same year, Dr Chiluba who was spearheading peace efforts for the DRC, agreed to work with Libyan Leader Colonel Muammar Gaddafi to implement the Sirte accord - another of the many process seeking peace in the DR Congo and the great lakes region.
During the peace efforts that engulfed the great lakes region, Rwanda had only recognised peace initiatives pursued by Dr Chiluba, thus making the late former president the central figure in the process.
Christian Nation
It was Dr Frederick Chiluba who declared Zambia a Christian nation in 1991 in December following his election as president of the Republic of Zambia.
Although there have been arguments about the declaration, with some people saying it should be scrapped because Zambia does not only consist of Christians only but other religious faiths as well, successive governments have re-emphasised that the declaration shall remain because Zambia has to be anchored on God.
The Christian fraternity has argued that the declaration rightly places Zambia and her people under the guidance of God and therefore an inspired declaration.
Other voices:
General Miyanda
Former Vice President in Dr Chiluba’s administration, Brigadier General Godfrey Miyanda says he will remember the late former president as a man who declared Zambia as a Christian nation.
General Miyanda says Dr Chiluba a made “a landmark decision to declare Zambia a Christian nation.”
General Miyanda was education Minister in Dr Chiluba’s rule and is now president of the opposition Heritage Party.
Ben Mwila
National Democratic Focus president Ben Mwila says Dr Chiluba will be remembered for liberalizing the economy.
Mr. Mwila served as defence Minister in Dr. Chiluba’s government.
He is saddened that the country has lost a man who championed freedom of expression.
Mr Mwila was speaking with ZNBC News in an interview at Dr Chiluba’s residence in Kabulonga on Saturday.
Mr Mwila says Dr Chiluba will also be remembered for championing workers rights during the one party rule.
PAZA
The Press Association of Zambia -PAZA- says the late Dr Chiluba will be remembered for liberalizing the media.
PAZA Vice president Amos Chanda says because of the media reforms implemented under his reign the country has witnessed a proliferation of media houses.
Chiluba’s former press aide
His former press aide Richard Sakala says Dr Chiluba is an icon who enhanced the country's political and economic vision.
Mr. Sakala says Zambians will remember Dr Chiluba for the good he did for the country.
Church
In view of these works by the late former head of state, the Council of Churches in Zambia -CCZ- has called on Zambians to unite and mourn Former President Dr. Frederick Chiluba with dignity.
Chairperson Reverend Sussane Matale says Dr Chiluba played his part and contributed to national development as President.
She wants Zambians to set aside perceived differences and unite to mourn Dr Chiluba in a dignified manner.
MMD suspends interviews
Following the death of Dr Chiluba who is founder of the MMD, the party leadership has also suspended interviews for parliamentary candidates for this year’s general elections till further notice.
Chairperson for Elections, Gabriel Namulambe has told ZNBC in Chipata that all provincial executive committees should suspend the interviews to accord Dr Chiluba honourable funeral and burial.
The provincial executive committees will be informed at an appropriate time when the interviews should resume.
Conclusion
As several government officials, ministers and relatives gather at the funeral house of Second Republican President Frederick Chiluba, a committee to spearhead both the funeral and burial arrangements has been constituted.
Defence Minister Kalombo Mwansa is heading the committee.
Mourners started gathering for the funeral, held at Dr Chiluba’s Residence in Kabulonga early this Saturday after news of his death filtered through.
Dr. Chiluba, 68, died at his home, 12-2 Servo Road, Kabulonga,five minutes after midnight on Saturday.
Emmanuel Mwamba the spokesperson for the late Dr Chiluba says the former president died at his Kabulonga residence Plot 12-2 Servo Road, due to a stomach pain after midnight.
Funeral gathering moved
Government has since moved the funeral gathering of Dr Chiluba from his residence to Belvedere Lodge in Lusaka.
Mourners will now have to go to Belvedere Lodge on Leopards Hill Road for funeral gathering.
Secretary to Cabinet Dr. Joshua Kanganja announced the shifting of the funeral in a statement to ZNBC News on Sunday.
Dr Kanganja says mourners who wish to visit the bereaved family must therefore go to Belvedere Lodge from Monday 20th – Monday 27th June 2011.
President Banda
For President Rupiah Banda, perhaps this is one of his most trying moments, more so that Dr Chiluba’s demise comes at a time the president is still mourning the loss of his maternal uncle in Chipata.
Both as Vice president and now President, Mr Banda has now witnessed two funerals of high profile individuals in the country’s history – the death of Dr Levy Patrick Mwanawasa, and now that of Dr Chiluba at his Kabulonga residence in Zambia.
While burying his maternal uncle Mwase Banda, 88, on Saturday in Chipata, who is survived by nine children and 28 grand children, President Banda said “life can be hard sometimes in times of bereavement”.
President Banda is also attending a burial of his niece in Mazimoyo in Chipata.
On the late Mwase Banda, President Banda says his family has lost a great man and thanked traditional leaders for their support during the bereavement.
Hailed
On Dr Chiluba, president Banda has hailed the role played by the late Second Republican president in democratizing the country in 1991.
President Banda says Dr Chiluba played an important role in ensuring that peace prevailed in 1991.
He says had it not been for the role Dr Chiluba played; Zambia would have been like other troubled countries on the continent.
Early Life
Dr Chiluba was born to Jacob Titus Chiluba Nkonde and Diana Kaimba and raised up in Kitwe.
He did his secondary education at Kawambwa Secondary School in Kawambwa in Luapula province.
While at School, Dr Chiluba was expelled in the second year due to his political activities.
It was then that he even found his ability to become a politician due to his charismatic personality.
Dr Chiluba later worked as city councilor before becoming an accounts assistant at Atlas Copco, and rose in his rankings, in Ndola where he joined the National Union of Building.
ZCTU
Dr Chiluba later won the chairmanship of the Zambia Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU).
He was then with several leaders in ZCTU detained in 1981 by President Kenneth Kaunda for calling a wildcat strike that paralyzed most of the Zambian economy.
The union leaders were released after a judge ruled their detention as unconstitutional.
In 1987, he again successfully defended his chairmanship of NUBEGW, which would have threatened his removal from ZCTU as president, had he lost it.
Personal Life
Dr Frederick Chiluba has nine children: Helen, Miko, Hortensia, Castro (late), Chongo, Kaindu, Hildah, Frederick Jr and Verocia.
Dr Chiluba had his longest marriage with Vera Tembo (currently Zambia’s Tourism and Environment Deputy Minister), spanning 30 years, who he divorced in 2000.
Dr Chiluba later married Regina Mwanza, who he leaves behind at his death.
Political career
Born 68 years ago, Dr Frederick Jacob Titus Chiluba was a Zambian politician and trade unionist.
Dr Chiluba a trade union leader won the country's multi-party presidential election under the Movement for Multi-Party Democracy (MMD) held on 31st October 1991, defeating Dr Kaunda in a historic landslide victory.
In that election, Dr Chiluba polled 972 212 votes, representing a 75.8% victory against Dr Kaunda’s 311, 022 votes, translating into 24.24% defeat for the United National Independence Party- UNIP, out of the entire 1,283,234 votes cast, with 41 531 invalid ballots.
At National Assembly level, Dr Chiluba’s MMD amassed 125 Members of Parliament countrywide, while UNIP only Managed 25, bringing the total to 158 MPs including 8 appointed by the President under Constitutional mandate.
Dr Chiluba was sworn-in on 2nd November 1991 and handed over the instrument of power to administer the country’s affairs and development agenda.
Dr Chiluba re-elected 1996
Five years after a landslide victory of 1991, Dr Chiluba would on 18 November 1996 face other serious contenders for his office.
But Dr Chiluba still thrashed his contenders with 913 770, a 72.59% victory over his challengers: Late Dean Namulya Mung’omba of Zambia Democratic Congress (ZADECO) who polled 160 439 votes (12.75%), Late Humphrey Mulemba of the National Party with 83 875 votes (6.66%), Akashambatwa Mbikusita Lewanika of Agenda for Zambia (AZ), 59, 250 ballots (4.71%) and the late Chama Chakomboka of the Movement for Democratic Process (MDP) ending the list of losers with 41, 471 votes, a translation of 3.29% of total votes cast out of 1,258,805 - this time with 66, 248 invalid votes.
At parliamentary level, Dr Chiluba still commanded the house with 131 elected plus 8 appointed MPs while the rest were taken by: ZADECO 2, 10 independents, 5 for National Party and 2 by Agenda for Zambia.
Housing policy
As part of the party programmes, in 1996, Dr Chiluba ordered sale of all council and parastatal houses to sitting tenants.
The programme saw a number of Zambians owning homes.
In addition, president Chiluba is best remembered by the presence of the Benny Mwiinga Housing Complex (named after the late former Local Government and Housing Minister), on Great East Road behind Chainama Hills Hospital, popularly known as PHI-Presidential Housing Initiative.
Under President Rupiah Banda who is also MMD president, the housing empowerment programme has continued.
April this year in Kitwe on the Copperbelt Province of Zambia, president Banda ordered complete sale of parastatal houses to sitting tenants.
This signified the consistence of the MMD party founded by Dr Chiluba.
President Banda has continued to build on the promises made by the MMD, his predecessors and his own campaigns promises in the 2008 presidential elections.
Dr Chiluba 1991-2001
When he assumed state control, Dr Frederick Chiluba was committed to extensive economic reform.
His government privatized many state industries, and maintained positive real interest rates.
Zambia had for almost three decades been under a command system of economy which largely entailed an avalanche of exchange controls.
This meant that foreign investment would not flow into the country, largely because the economic policies were not very conducive to foreign investors.
Even further, because of what donors regarded as unsound economic management policies at the time, they stopped the balance of payment support to Zambia.
In turn, this saw most, if not all of Zambia’s paratstals reeling under the pangs of less funding to the extent that the country was almost grinding to a halt.
Worse still, the price of the base metal –copper, one of Zambia’s major traditional export was nose diving.
Therefore as the impact of Zambia’s economic down turn in the 80s to early 90s continued to worsen, almost all sectors of the country’s development agenda were paralyzed forcing the birth of long queues of people for little supplies, albeit with coupons.
Inflation was in double digits with more money than commodities available to buy.
Dr Chiluba’s economic drive
Realising these challenges, Dr Chiluba eliminated deterrents to foreign investment such as exchange controls, among others, and endorsed the free market concept.
The change in the economic management system saw a paradigm shift in the country’s economic extrapolation.
The IMF and World Bank were now ready to support the privatisation drive which saw the giant parastatal, Zambian Consolidated Copper Mines (ZCCM) dismantled.
Donors immediately resumed balance-of-payment support bringing a new lease of life in the mining sector, which had dropped to its knees.
But Zambia at the time of Dr Chiluba’s Government still had another major hurdle, the inherited external debt which had soured in trillions of Kwacha and most of the country’s resources would end up servicing the external indebtedness at the expense of supporting the local economy and social sectors.
This among other reasons, led Zambia to accumulate an insurmountable debt of United States Dollars 7.1billion, prompting a drive which saw the coming on board of the debt cancellation agents such as International Jubilee 2000, on the local front, partnered by Jesuit Centre for Theological Reflection and other civil society organisations in Zambia.
Zambia qualified to the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) Initiative, one of the main criterions for debt cancellation.
These efforts however went beyond Dr Chiluba’s tenure as President, but under his party, the MMD.
The IMF and World Bank remained open to re-negotiate some previously agreed performance criteria as late as 2003, including the sale of Zambia National Commercial Bank, Zamtel and ZESCO with late President Dr Mwanawasa.
The lack of stable balance of payment support Dr Chiluba found, in essence meant that the country did or the Zambian Government did not have resources for capital investment.
Thus periodically, the previous Government had to issue bonds or otherwise expand the money supply to meet its spending and debt obligations.
The economic and fiscal policies implemented by Dr Chiluba, to some extent changed the scenario although the real economic emancipation was long term vision, even under the present government still being pursued.
Transport sector
At a time Dr Chiluba became president, it was almost a nightmare to travel from one town to another as there was limited transport in the public sector.
The only national courier, UBZ – United Bus Company of Zambia with its slogan “you will be there”, was reeling under insufficient funding and therefore unreliable to fulfill its motto.
UBZ had become a failure of itself due to continued loss making, resulting in annihilation of both operating and investment capital.
Thus travelers forever made endless queues day and night with some of them losing their luggage to unscrupulous call boys.
Dr Chiluba’s remedy
Dr Chiluba thus eliminated inhibitive imports and other duties at boarder point with a view to allow more players in the sector buy public conveyance vehicles.
As head of state then and beyond his life on earth, it is indisputable that the late Dr Chiluba epitomizes the revolution in Zambia’s today improved transport sector.
This legacy, he passed it on to his two predecessors, the late Dr Mwanawasa and incumbent Rupiah Banda.
Foreign relations
On 15th November 1994, Dr Chiluba brokered the Angola peace protocol that saw two Angolan leaders Edwardo Dos Santos and Jonas Malheiro Savimbi shake hands following the agreement for the ceasefire.
The UN was represented by its Secretary General in Angola Mr Alioune Blondin Beye and other representatives from the United States of America, Russia and Portugal.
However, Angola did not see immediate return to peace until rebel leader Jonas Malheiro Savimbi born August 3, 1934, was killed on February 22, 2002, near Lucusse, in Angola.
The failure by Angolan leaders then to implement the Lusaka protocol did not take away Dr Chiluba’s peace efforts at international level.
Congo DR
Following the rebellion against late Congolese President Joseph Desire Kabila, Dr Chiluba was on October 27 1998 as president of Zambia mandated to press on with peace initiative to end the war.
This followed inconclusive consultations in Lusaka between regional foreign and defence ministers.
On May 4 the same year, Dr Chiluba who was spearheading peace efforts for the DRC, agreed to work with Libyan Leader Colonel Muammar Gaddafi to implement the Sirte accord - another of the many process seeking peace in the DR Congo and the great lakes region.
During the peace efforts that engulfed the great lakes region, Rwanda had only recognised peace initiatives pursued by Dr Chiluba, thus making the late former president the central figure in the process.
Christian Nation
It was Dr Frederick Chiluba who declared Zambia a Christian nation in 1991 in December following his election as president of the Republic of Zambia.
Although there have been arguments about the declaration, with some people saying it should be scrapped because Zambia does not only consist of Christians only but other religious faiths as well, successive governments have re-emphasised that the declaration shall remain because Zambia has to be anchored on God.
The Christian fraternity has argued that the declaration rightly places Zambia and her people under the guidance of God and therefore an inspired declaration.
Other voices:
General Miyanda
Former Vice President in Dr Chiluba’s administration, Brigadier General Godfrey Miyanda says he will remember the late former president as a man who declared Zambia as a Christian nation.
General Miyanda says Dr Chiluba a made “a landmark decision to declare Zambia a Christian nation.”
General Miyanda was education Minister in Dr Chiluba’s rule and is now president of the opposition Heritage Party.
Ben Mwila
National Democratic Focus president Ben Mwila says Dr Chiluba will be remembered for liberalizing the economy.
Mr. Mwila served as defence Minister in Dr. Chiluba’s government.
He is saddened that the country has lost a man who championed freedom of expression.
Mr Mwila was speaking with ZNBC News in an interview at Dr Chiluba’s residence in Kabulonga on Saturday.
Mr Mwila says Dr Chiluba will also be remembered for championing workers rights during the one party rule.
PAZA
The Press Association of Zambia -PAZA- says the late Dr Chiluba will be remembered for liberalizing the media.
PAZA Vice president Amos Chanda says because of the media reforms implemented under his reign the country has witnessed a proliferation of media houses.
Chiluba’s former press aide
His former press aide Richard Sakala says Dr Chiluba is an icon who enhanced the country's political and economic vision.
Mr. Sakala says Zambians will remember Dr Chiluba for the good he did for the country.
Church
In view of these works by the late former head of state, the Council of Churches in Zambia -CCZ- has called on Zambians to unite and mourn Former President Dr. Frederick Chiluba with dignity.
Chairperson Reverend Sussane Matale says Dr Chiluba played his part and contributed to national development as President.
She wants Zambians to set aside perceived differences and unite to mourn Dr Chiluba in a dignified manner.
MMD suspends interviews
Following the death of Dr Chiluba who is founder of the MMD, the party leadership has also suspended interviews for parliamentary candidates for this year’s general elections till further notice.
Chairperson for Elections, Gabriel Namulambe has told ZNBC in Chipata that all provincial executive committees should suspend the interviews to accord Dr Chiluba honourable funeral and burial.
The provincial executive committees will be informed at an appropriate time when the interviews should resume.
Conclusion
As several government officials, ministers and relatives gather at the funeral house of Second Republican President Frederick Chiluba, a committee to spearhead both the funeral and burial arrangements has been constituted.
Defence Minister Kalombo Mwansa is heading the committee.
Mourners started gathering for the funeral, held at Dr Chiluba’s Residence in Kabulonga early this Saturday after news of his death filtered through.
Dr. Chiluba, 68, died at his home, 12-2 Servo Road, Kabulonga,five minutes after midnight on Saturday.
Paying Last Respects to the Late DR FTJ
Body viewing for the late Second Republican President DR Fredrick Jacob Titus Chiluba continues tomorrow from 08:00-18:00 central African time, if you find time pass through.MHSRIEP. GOD BLESS ZAMBIA
President Rupiah Banda on Saturday led hundreds of mourners in paying their last respects to Second Republican President, Dr. Frederick Chiluba at Mulungushi International Conference Centre in Lusaka.
President Banda was accompanied by his wife, First Lady Thandiwe, Vice President George Kunda and his wife, Ireen, Chief Justice Ernest Sakala, National Assembly Speaker Amusaa Mwanamwamba and his deputy, Mutale Nalumango.
Members of Parliament, Cabinet ministers and their deputies, Permanent Secretaries and their deputies, diplomats accredited to Zambia, Defence chiefs and senior Government officials also paid their last respects to the late former President.
Dr. Chiluba’s widow Regina and former first lady and Environment and Natural Resources Deputy Minister Vera Tembo including children also paid their respects before members of the general public were allowed to view the body.
Opposition leaders among them Forum for Democracy and Development (FDD) president Edith Nawakwi, National Restoration Party (NAREP) president Elias Chipimo Junior, United Liberal Party (ULP) president Sakwiba Sikota were among those who saw the body.
Mourners from all walks of life thronged the Centre to pay their last respects to Dr. Chiluba.
The mourners gathered at the Centre as early as 07-00 hours as they awaited the arrival of Dr. Chiluba’s body.
The Zambia Army Gun Carriage took the body which arrived at the centre at exactly 10-00 hours.
At this moment a solemn atmosphere characterised the Conference Centre as mourners broke in tears as pall bearers carried Dr. Chiluba’s body inside the Centre.
Dr. Chiluba’s body would lie in state at Mulungushi International Conference Center till Sunday before being buried on Monday.
President Banda has since declared Monday, 27th June, 2011, a public holiday.
The President made the declaration in a statement through Secretary to the Cabinet, Dr. Joshua Kanganja.
He announced that paying of last respects by the general public would start on Saturday from 11:30hours to 18:00 hours.
The public would continue paying their last respect on Sunday from 08:00 hours to 18:00 hours.
And several people have described the late Dr. Chiluba as a pioneer of democracy and pillar of the nation who embraced all people.
Former Zambia’s Ambassador to Mozambique George Chulumanda says he worked closely with Dr. Chiluba when he served as Sport, Youth and Child Development Deputy Minister.
Mr. Chulumanda described the late former President as an icon of peace, democracy who also imparted knowledge to most Zambians including youths.
Thursday, 23 June 2011
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