More Shower Praises On FJT

29 June 2011

FORMER United Church of Zambia (UCZ) Copperbelt Presbytery bishop Committee Njase has described the death of second president of the Republic of Zambia, Frederick Chiluba as a sad development for the country and Africa as a whole.

Bishop Njase told the Times yesterday that Dr Chiluba, who was a pioneer of democracy and economic liberalisation in Zambia, had left an indelible mark on the political, economic and social scenes in Zambia.

He said Dr Chiluba understood why he was a leader and selflessly worked to improve the country, apart from contributing to strengthening of African unity through the Southern African Development Community (SADC).

“Dr Chiluba helped pave the way for democracy and brought economic liberalisation into the country. He was an insightful politician who stood for what he knew was right even when he was criticised by some sections of society,” he said.

Bishop Njase said Dr Chiluba’s legacy was rich and that he should be remembered for being a true democrat who carried out major tasks that other people could not attempt to do.

He said Zambians should unite after the death of Dr Chiluba so the country could build on the foundations that he laid for the country to develop.

And Chingola District overseer of the Church of God World Mission John Mwanza has urged Zambians to heed President Rupiah Banda’s message of forgiveness and unity after the death of Dr Chiluba.

Bishop Mwanza said in an interview yesterday it was important that the Zambian people and in particular politicians forgave one another and move forward for a better Zambia.

“Forgiveness is important because politicians need each other to exchange new ideas on how best to carry the country forward. It is difficult to advise your enemies and that is why politicians need to be civil to each other,” Bishop Mwanza said.

He said the message of forgiveness and unity as said by President Banda was particularly important at this stage because Zambia would soon hold general elections.

Meanwhile, people from all walks of life have continued laying wreaths on the grave of Dr Chiluba at Embassy Park in Lusaka while others are flocking to the burial site near Cabinet Office in Lusaka to view the grave of the late leader.

A Times reporter yesterday found a number of people, who included school-going children, at the park taking pictures while others were praying.

And in Livingstone residents, Government officials, representatives of different political parties and church leaders turned up at Mukuni Park to watch the church service and burial proceedings for Dr Chiluba on Monday.

Speaking after watching the burial service, Southern Province Deputy Permanent Secretary Alfred Chingi thanked the residents for turning up in large numbers to mourn Dr Chiluba.

Mr Chingi urged the residents to continue praying for the family of the late second Republican president.

Speaking earlier, Livingstone Gospel Ministries Fellowship chairperson Eric Jere said Zambia had lost “one of the generals in the army of the Lord.”

Reverend Jere said Dr Chiluba was a defender of the Christian faith and that he had led many Zambians out of poverty.

Kabwe residents gathered at the civic centre as early as 07:00 hrs to watch the proceeding of the service with some openly shedding tears and expressing sadness at Dr Chiluba’s demise a few years after the death of his successor, Levy Mwanawasa.

In his message, Central Province Permanent Secretary Denny Lumbama said Zambians would do well to live a Christ-like life which Dr Chiluba preached.

Hundreds of mourners in Chipata followed proceedings from Chipata College of Education Hall where a big screen had been mounted.People started flocking into the college hall as early as 06:00 hrs and by 10:00 hrs, the hall was full to capacity, with some mourners watching from the windows.Eastern Province Permanent Secretary Eularia Mwale, Chipata District Commissioner Moses Nyirenda, MMD deputy provincial chairperson Sam Thole and some former freedom fighters were among people who solemnly watched the funeral proceedings.Some mourners who were clad in black attire openly broke down when Dr Chiluba’s children presented their farewell speeches.

Northern Province Deputy Permanent Secretary Micah Kafumbe-Zyambo led hundreds of residents, who gathered at the President’s Park to pay their last respects to Dr Chiluba when they held special prayers while following the burial procession in Lusaka via a giant television screen.

The interdenominational church service, which marked the fourth day of special prayers and the final day of the period of national mourning, was characterised by singing, praying and preaching from some clergy, who encouraged Zambians to remain united whenever the country was going through trying times.

Word of Faith Assemblies pastor Webster Mwamba, who shared the word of God from Corinthians 15: 20-21, reminded the people that Christianity was about making peace with one another.

Mission Christian Centre pastor Christy Ntalasha called on the country’s political leaders to appreciate and show love to one another as a way of uniting and building the country.

Northern Province police chief Mukuka Chewe said people in the area were so touched by the death of Dr Chiluba that the entire province recoded less crime during the period of national mourning.

AllAfrica – All the Time