By Chileshe Mwango
The requiem church service for 4th Republican President Rupiah Banda who died last week has taken place ahead of his burial today at the presidential burial site, Embassy Park.
Scores of people lined up along Independence Avenue to pay their last respect to Mr. Banda as his body was being moved from Maina Soko Military Hospital mortuary to the cathedral of the holy cross where multitudes of mourners gathered for the church service in honor of the late former president resident.
Mr. Banda’s body arrived at the Cathedral of The Holy Cross on a funeral cortege in the company of widow Thandiwe, and the military escort.
And in her farewell message to her husband during the church service attended by President Hakainde Hichilema, former President Edgar Lungu and former Mozambican President Joachim Chisano among many other dignitaries, former first lady Thandiwe Banda thanked God for making her a wife to the late former president.
In a farewell message read on her behalf by Ms. Alince Banda, Mrs. Banda said the former Head of State was a great husband who even during his battle with cancer, continued to preach love and peace.
Meanwhile, speaking on behalf of the children, President Banda’s son Digani, described his father as a unique man who showed love to everyone and believed in building confidence in all.
And in his homily, Anglican Cathedral of the Holy Cross Vicar General Cannon Charley Thomas said Mr. Banda practiced what Jesus taught by being faithful to God and running his race perfectly even when things did not go his way.
Father Thomas said Mr. Banda held on to his lane and never allowed anyone to stop him from achieving his successes in life adding that he was a humble man and a peacemaker.
Meanwhile, President Hakainde Hichilema said Mr. Banda will be remembered for his humility as he gave each person a deserved attention even when they differed on opinion.
President Hichilema also urged the Banda family to look to god for comfort and celebrate the life of the late former head of state who he said was a loving leader with a legacy that will last forever.
The body of Mr. Banda will now move to Embassy Park where he will be laid to rest.
PHOENIX NEWS