President Hakainde Hichilema has said Zambia’s founding father Kenneth Kaunda was a visionary and selfless leader who left the African continent with many lessons on national unity, development and prosperity.
President Hichilema said Dr. Kaunda did not just fight for freedom of the country and the African continent but fought hard to develop the country so that Zambians can live better lives.
Speaking at the first memorial church service for Dr. Kaunda held at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross in Lusaka, President Hichilema said Dr Kaunda left many lessons which politicians across the continent learnt from.
He said the greatest gift the late President left for Zambians was education so that everyone can prosper in life.
President Hichilema said it is from this realisation that the New Dawn Government has increased the Constituency Development Funds (CDF) to build on the vision Dr. Kaunda had to offer free education to all Zambians.
The Head of State added that the founding President also prioritised agriculture as it was his vision to ensure NO Zambian goes to bed on an empty stomach.
President Hichilema further called on the Kaunda family to protect the image of the founding President by upholding his values and good deeds.
And Dr. Kaunda’s first born son Panji said the best way of honouring his father is to appreciate and celebrate all the men and women who fought for Zambia’s independence.
Colonel Kaunda said more books must be written to highlight the role the freedom fighters played with Dr. Kaunda so that future generations can learn their sacrifices many decades from now.
Meanwhile, Council of Churches in Zambia General Secretary Emmanuel Chikoya said the late Dr. Kaunda was a true pan Africanist who set out to build a united nation despite the diversity Zambia has.
Reverend Chikoya said Dr. Kaunda liberated the nation and set the base for Zambia’s self-sustenance.
And Former UNIP Member of the Central Committee Bautis Kapalu challenged the current leadership to emulate Dr. Kaunda and promote unity in the nation.
Mr Kapalu, who served as a Member of Parliament for the former Ndola Rural West Constituency and Minister of State, said Dr. Kaunda and his colleagues sacrificed for the nation in many ways.
He said after independence, Dr. Kaunda and his fellow compatriots mounted a successful fundraising campaign which led to the construction of the University of Zambia.
Prominent among the people who attended the first memorial service for Dr Kaunda included Chief Justice Mumba Malila, Second Deputy Speaker Moses Moyo, COMESA Secretary General Chileshe Kapwepwe and former Vice Presidents Nevers Mumba and Enoch Kavindele.
– ZNBC
