ZAMBIA: Bishops Urge Zambians To Mourn Dr Kaunda By Living His Legacy of ‘One Zambia One Nation’

Mwenya Mukuka

The Catholic Bishops in Zambia say that the best way to mourn Zambia’s fallen hero Dr. Kenneth Kaunda is to live by the national values he laboured to inculcate into the fabric of the nation.

The Catholic Bishops have noted that Dr Kaunda endeavoured to inculcate among Zambians the values of love and unity in diversity, peace and human dignity of every person regardless of tribe, race, nation, creed and political affiliation.

In a statement to convey condolences and sympathies to President Edgar Lungu, the bereaved family and the people of Zambia, the ZCCB President Archbishop Ignatius Chama said that the country has lost a freedom fighter, a true statesman who united the nation, a great leader who rendered selfless service to the country.

Archbishop Chama further said that Dr. Kaunda has left behind a legacy that everyone must always aspire to put into practice.

“He knitted the various tribes into a united country and inspired Zambians to celebrate their unity in diversity by following the national motto: “One Zambia – One Nation and a Pan African leader who greatly cared for and played a pivotal role in the liberation struggle of countries in Southern Africa and beyond,” he said.

“Dr. Kaunda led by example in terms of servant leadership and hard work. He never got tired to preach the primacy and significance of love of God and of one’s neighbour,” Archbishop Chama added.

The ZCCB President has since invited the nation to draw strength from God and seek comfort that only comes from above and that the good Lord reward and receive Dr. Kaunda into his heavenly kingdom for the valuable services he rendered to his beloved country, the African continent and the world at large.

“We also commend him to God’s mercy for all the failings he might have committed. Comforted by the words in the scriptures that “God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him” (I Thess. 4:14b), we call upon the Kaunda family and the entire nation to remain united in prayer and strengthen one another in faith. May the Almighty God grant him an eternal rest, full of peace and happiness,” he prayed.

Kenneth Kaunda, Zambia’s founding president and one of Africa’s last surviving liberation leaders died in Lusaka aged 97 on 17^th June, 2021 after suffering from pneumonia.

Kaunda was President for the Republic of Zambia for 27 years from 1964, when it won independence from Britain.

He is respected across the African continent as one of that generation that fought to liberate their nations from colonial rule.