FORMER RUPIAH BANDA REMEMBERED

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PRESIDENT Hakainde Hichilema greets former First Lady Thandiwe Banda at the Anglican Cathedral of the Holy Cross in Lusaka today. This was during the first memorial of fourth Republican president Rupiah Banda.

FORMER RUPIAH BANDA REMEMBERED

MARCH 11, 2023
By Vem-reporter

President HAKAINDE HICHILEMA has described the late fourth President RUPIAH BANDA as a great statesman who helped with the smooth transition of power after the 2021 General Election.

President HICHILEMA says the 2021 General Election was an emotional and tense one which was well handled by former President BANDA by mediating between himself and his predecessor EDGAR LUNGU.

Speaking at the Anglican Cathedral of the Holy Cross in Lusaka during the first anniversary of the death of the former President, the Head of State said Mr. BANDA’s involvement in the transition behind the scenes ensured that there was peace in the country.

President HICHILEMA disclosed that President BANDA held three meetings between him and Mr. LUNGU to ensure there was a smooth transition in the nation.

He has urged all politicians and those in public service to learn from the former President who was good at forgiving and maintaining peace.

President HICHILEMA also described Mr. BANDA as a giant who was part of a group of freedom fighters who delivered independence to the country.

He said President BANDA showed his humility in 2011 when he peacefully handed over power to MICHAEL SATA when he lost the election.

President HICHILEMA said most Presidents at the moment are preoccupied with winning elections and it is not easy to willingly hand over the instruments of power.

And Former President BANDA’s brother JAMES has asked President HICHILEMA to initiate dialogue with his predecessor EDGAR LUNGU for love to exist between the two leaders.

Mr. BANDA said there is a lot of good will between the two national leaders and there is need for them to start talking to each other.

In a speech read for him by retired Brigadier General NEBERT PHIRI, Mr. BANDA said the nation wants to see President HICHILEMA and Former President LUNGU in talking terms.

He said if former President BANDA was alive, he would have initiated the dialogue.

And in a tribute to her husband, THANDIWE BANDA said the last 12 months have not been easy for her.

The homage read by her friend, ALICE BANDA, Mrs. BANDA also noted how much courage and work, she has had to employ, to live without the former President.

President BANDA’s children and grand-children also read tributes, represented by ALICE JOHNSON, the Niece, and SARAH BANDA, a grand-daughter.

Meanwhile, representing family friends, President BANDA’s former Press Aide, DICKSON JERE outlined five attributes, which he said are some of the great lessons, politicians can learn from the late leader.

Mr. JERE listed some of them as humility, equity and sports, which he said President BANDA exhibited in his life.

And in his homily, Vicar-General for the Cathedral, CHARLEY THOMAS described President BANDA’s memorial as a transition from mourning into healing.

Father THOMAS noted that the service is an event of strengthening President BANDA’s family, but also for the entire country to reflect on his contribution to national development.

He described President BANDA as a transitional person, in several of his various works.

PRESIDENT Hakainde Hichilema greets former First Lady Thandiwe Banda at the Anglican Cathedral of the Holy Cross in Lusaka today. This was during the first memorial of fourth Republican president Rupiah Banda.

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