KASONDE WAS A GALLANT SOLDIER – LUNGU

Wed, 30 Aug 2017 10:12:14 +0000

By Aaron Chiyanzo

ZAMBIA has been robbed of great wisdom and counsel through the death of former minister of Health Joseph Kasonde, says President Edgar Lungu.

And Dr Kasonde has since been laid to rest at Leopards Hill Memorial Park Cemetery in Lusaka.

Speaking earlier at the Requiem Mass for Dr Kasonde, which was attended by First Lady Esther Lungu, first republican President Kenneth Kaunda, ministers and other prominent persons, President Lungu described the former minister as a renowned professional.

Mr Lungu said that the country had been robbed of great wisdom and counsel through the death of Dr Kasonde.

He pointed out that Dr Kasonde, who was at one time President Kaunda’s personal physician, was a mentor to several people, medical practitioners, including the current Health minister, Dr Chitalu Chilufya.

President Lungu said that Dr Kasonde was dedicated to duty and that the health fraternity had lost a highly educated professional.

“Dr Kasonde was a gallant son of the sil and a renowned professional. He was highly educated and a mentor to many. Even Dr Chilufya has been well tutored and obviously where he is, he knows he has left the health sector in capable hands,” the President said.

President Lungu emphasised that Dr Kasonde was dedicated to duty and that he played a pivotal role in transforming the health sector in Zambia.

Meanwhile, Dr Chilufya said that he had lost a mentor and a brother, who was always there whenever he needed him.  He disclosed that they enjoyed a close relationship even outside the office.

And the widow, Mary Kasonde said in a farewell speech read by Dorothy Kasanda, “life would not be the same for her without Dr Kasonde.”

Ms Kasonde said it was actually hard for her to believe that her husband was no more.