RUPIAH BANDA DEATH: A Funeral for all Zambians
TWENTY DAYS after turning 85 years old on February 19, Rupiah Bwezani Banda, an out and out public servant, has died at his home in Makeni area, Lusaka.
But why was he a public servant? He is a former everything one can do for their country, at least in as far as the political realm can offer.
Banda, born on February 19 at Gwanda in Southern Rhodesia – present day Zimbabwe – in 1937, is the former Ambassador to the United Arab Republic (present day Egypt), former permanent representative to the United Nations (UN), former Ambassador to the United States (US), former Munali Constituency member of parliament (1978 – 1983), former Lusaka governor, former Minister of Foreign Affairs, former Minister of State for Mines, former general manager for National Agriculture Marketing Board (NAMBOARD), former chief executive officer for the Rural Development Corporation, former Republican Vice-President (October 9, 2006 – November 2, 2008) and former Republican President (November 2, 2008 to September 23, 2011).
Going by the rich public service pedigree to his name, it should surprise nobody now that Banda ended up as Zambia’s fourth president.
It would seem that RB, as the octogenarian deceased was fondly referred to, was called, from his youthful days, to render public service. He undoubtedly responded to that call and served with diligence.
Banda was not a wayward politician; he had a decent educational profile.
He was a graduate of Lund University of Sweden, where he obtained a degree in economics.
According to President Hakainde Hichilema, who officially announced the death of Banda on ZNBC TV, the fourth president represented the highest form of patriotism. True!
To those in the upper echelons of the Zambian society, Banda was an outright patriot, cushioned by an overwhelming public service record.
But to the common person on the streets of towns and in the outskirts of the country, Banda was simply a jovial and tolerant person.
During his three year presidency, Banda was referred to as the President for all Zambians.
Today , he is no more and there is justifiably a funeral for all Zambians.
This is it; Rupiah Bwezani Banda is dead and eulogies from all parts of the world are pouring in.
Banda leaves behind a wife, Thandiwe and children.
Banda becomes the fifth former Zambian Head of State to die joining Levy Mwanawasa, Fredrick Chiluba, Michael Data and Dr Kenneth Kaunda leaving Edgar Lungu as the only surviving former president.
On his death, Zambia’s prominent human rights defender Laura Miti wrote; The death of President Rupiah Banda feels like being orphaned or when the last of your parents siblings die. The last elder statesman former President. What a vacuum! Who will be the adult in the room when the children fight”.
Kalemba