GONE but never to be forgotten. Zambians will never forget their founding father, President Dr Kenneth David Buchizya Kaunda who was put to rest at Embassy Park in Lusaka .
This is thanks to a declaration announced during the burial yesterday by President Edgar Lungu, that April 28 will forever be observed as a public holiday to commemorate his birth in 1924.
There is no better way of remembering and honouring one of Zambia’s most illustrious sons than reserving a day on which the nation can take note of what he stood for and meant to the country.
April 28 will remind Zambians of the values that he believed in and helped to shape the destiny of the country – selfless service all round.
President Lungu described Dr Kaunda as an epitome of selfless service and patriotism, a man who strongly believed in hard work and discipline.
“Dr. Kaunda was indeed a true champion of love and unity. I can only urge each and every one of us to emulate his character and good works,” President Lungu said.
And there is no better way of honouring Dr Kaunda other than upholding the motto of One Zambia One Nation in everything.
“This motto should be an embodiment of who we are as a people of this great nation,” said President Lungu.
And our first test as a nation as to whether we have learnt anything from Dr Kaunda will be how we carry ourselves before and after the August 12 tripartite elections.
It is a litmus test as to whether Zambians will remain united in diversity or allow themselves to be divided by artificial barriers such as tribe or religion.
President Lungu said “We are a united people despite our many tribes, dialect and heritage and nothing and nobody should divide us and that is where we are going from now and forever to honour Dr. Kaunda’s legacy.”
The unity that has been exhibited in the last 21 days from the time of his death on June 17 that was observed as period of national mourning must continue.
During yesterday’s burial, all the country’s political leaders gathered under one roof to pay their last respects to the late President Kaunda.
President Lungu was joined by among others by United National Independence Party President Trevor Mwamba and Mr Hakainde Hichilema of the United Party for National Development as well as Movement for Democratic Change president Felix Mutati.
.The occasion at least provided a rare opportunity for the political leaders, especially President Lungu and Mr Hichilema to greet each other.
Yes, Dr Kaunda was a man who loved peace and would wish for Zambians to continue living in peace.
As Dr Kaunda’s eldest son, Colonel Panji Kaunda said, his father was a symbol of peace hence the reason why the nation has not reported any acts of violence since his death.
“Since he died, there has been less violence, people have calmed down, and they are at peace. From now onwards, we move together as one Zambia one Nation,” he said.
Indeed, Zambians owe it to Dr Kaunda and other independence heroes to preserve the sanctity of the nation by upholding peace.
That would make him happy that his life was not in vain. It was his body that was interred, not his ideals and principles.
