CELEBRATING THE BIG FIVE – LEGACY’S TO FOREVER CHERISH
11 March, 2022 (SMARTEAGLES)
Kenneth David Kaunda – The Foundation
He led the foundation and today we are free independent and are proud. He welcomed all. Most of all he was a brothers keeper. During his 9,860 days in office from 1964, Kenneth Kaunda fought for majority rule of his neighbours, hosting the headquarters of the ANC and SWAPO in Lusaka and after losing elections in 1991 he left office graciously and became a campaigner for HIV and youth engagement. In 1960 Kaunda took over the leadership of the United National Independence party (UNIP) and it swept to victory in the independence election of 1964, ending Zambia’s legal status as a British protectorate. Almost immediately, Kaunda was confronted by the white Rhodesian rebels’ unilateral declaration of independence on 11 November 1965.
Fredrick Titus Jacob Chiluba – The Nations protector.
The one who knew the importance of God and declared Zambia a Christian nation. His faith as a Christian was never questionable. He never failed to call on God at any time. His legacy was powerful as he ushered in multi-party rule in Zambia. A former trade union leader, President Chiluba gained reputation as a champion for workers’ rights. As member of the then established Movement for Multi-Party Democracy (MMD), President Chiluba led the struggle to end one-party rule. In 1991, President Chiluba won the country’s first multi-party elections to become Zambia’s second president since independence.
Levy Patrick Mwanawasa – The Ruler by the Book.
He was what it meant to be a leader who was selfless. Mwanawasa was a favourite of the International Monetary Fund and other Western donors who extended billions of dollars in debt relief in the wake of his crackdown on government spending and launch of a massive anti-graft drive. And legacy was premised on economic and governance. During his public service President Mwanawasa was credited for the campaign against corruption. From a governance perspective, Zambia’s image improved on the international stage due to the stance taken by President Mwanawasa to prioritise the fight against corruption.
Rupiah Bwezani Banda – The Free Spirited The President for all Zambians.
The darling of the Nation who made the nation laugh with his Eastern sayings and chimbuya with then opposition leader Micheal Sata. During his reign Zambia’s economy expanded, mainly on the back of rising copper prices and a surge in Chinese investment. As president he focused on the economic development of Zambia and played a key role in promoting trade with other countries. He had been a successful businessman before he plunged head on into politics and his business acumen helped him in rejuvenating trade and industry in Zambia
Michael Chilufya Mwango Sata – The Nations favorite King Cobra.
The one who came with an iron fist the King Cobra. He was Gravelly-voiced as a result of years of chain-smoking, but he was a seasoned and astute politician. Zambians loved him. And yes he a charismatic and witty speaker. Even after losing thrice the King Cobra was never aggrieved by the election results, He went against his self-interest by stopping his supporters from rioting because a loss of an election is not worth plunging the country into chaos or shedding blood for. He demonstrated his magnanimity and patriotism to the country. In 2008, Mr Sata again demonstrated his humility and magnanimity when he took a bold step to reconcile with then head of State Levy Mwanawasa. He demonstrated that it does not matter where one stands. If one is genuinely sincere in making peace, it can be done. His legacy was premised on infrastructure development because he believed that Zambia to attain outmost transformation we needed to develop our infrastructure which included Schools, Universities, Hospital’s, Airports and Road as he believed that Zambia should be linked and the link Zambia 8000 was born. Today, because of his continued legacy we can see what he wanted.
These are big five the ones Zambians hold dear they May been gone but their various contributions to the Development of Zambia is appreciated today.