27 August 2008
THOUSANDS of Mansa residents yesterday thronged Mansa Airport to pay their last respects to the late President Mwanawasa.
By 06:30 Hours, a Long Queue Had Already Formed As People From All the Districts in the Province Continued to Flock to the Airport.
At 07:15 hours, the Zambian Airways plane carrying MMD national chairman Michael Mabenga, Mama Chibesa Kankasa, among the notables touched down at the airport, followed by the Zambia Air Force (ZAF) flight carrying Cabinet ministers and Dr Mwanawasa's relatives touched down at 07:45 hours.
Another ZAF plane carrying Dr Mwanawasa's body touched down at exactly 08:00 hours to a solemn mood as First Lady Maureen disembarked, amid weeping from the women who lined up to receive her.
Later, Mansa Bishop Aron Chisha described Dr Mwanawasa as a gallant leader whose vision was to develop the country and unite the people of Zambia.
He urged Dr Mwanawasa's successor to continue with the developmental projects, which he had embarked on.
MMD provincial chairman Chibwe Nsakasha said Dr Mwanawasa was a soldier and a symbol of unity in the country.
Mr Nsakasha said Dr Mwanawasa was a man of goodwill whose vision was to see the country develop.
"As the people of Luapula, we will not forget what Dr Mwanawasa did for the country and we need to ensure that his developmental projects continued," Mr Nsakasha said.
And provincial Minister, Chrispin Musosha said the people of Luapula Province would miss Dr Mwanawasa whom he said took it upon himself to see the province develop.
He said projects like the Chembe bridge was one such developmental projects the people of Luapula Province would continue to appreciate.
"As we contemplate the replacement for the president, let us put everything in God's hands for he is the only one who knows what is best for the country," Mr Musosha said.
Senior Chief Milambo of the Ushi, Chief Matanda and Chief Mabumba were present at the airport together with councillors from all the councils in the province.
Meanwhile, police had a tough time controlling the crowd as the multitudes of people tried to force their way onto the airport grounds.
It had to take a combined force of Zambia Police (ZP), Zambia National Service (ZNS) and the Zambia Army to control the confusion that led to the stampede that left several people injured.
The plane carrying the president's left the airport at 11:30 hours although not everyone had a chance to view the body.
In Ndola, multitudes of people turned up to bid farewell to Dr Mwanawasa although a large number of people were unable to do so because of limited access to the Zambia International Trade Fair (ZITF) grounds where the body viewing was held.
By 16:00 hours, people were still pouring into the trade fair grounds to have a chance to see the president's body.
Others lined up from Dag Hammerskojoeld Drive all the way to the trade fair grounds when the body arrived at about 12:15 hours to the time the body left the airport for the trade fair grounds.
Kabwe Road was sealed at the point where vehicles turn into the Industrial area to go to the trade fair for a long time to allow the motor convoy from the airport to the trade fair move.
Copperbelt Minister Mwansa Mbulakulima said at the event that people from all Copperbelt towns had come to pay their last respects to the late president.
Thousands of mourners lost hope of viewing the president's body at the ZITF Main Pavilion because the grounds were full to capacity and people were forced to remain outside and wait for others to leave the grounds before their turn.
There was a near stampede when some members of the public tried to force their way into the main arena but alert security officers quickly intervened and managed to keep them out.
Mr Mbulakulima said the period of mourning was a trying moment for the people of the Copperbelt because they were aware of the president's commitment to develop the province.
He said he was humbled by the presence of the First Lady Maureen and all the ministers that had accompanied the body of the late Dr Mwanawasa.
"The people of the Copperbelt like myself are greatly humbled by the presence of the first lady and the Cabinet ministers that are here to mourn with us," Mr Mbulakulima said.
And Copperbelt MMD Provincial Chairman Joseph Chilambwe said the period of mourning of the late president should give the people of Zambia a chance to practice his message of reconciliation.
Mr Chilambwe said people should avoid confusion during this period of mourning.
He said it was unfair for anyone to use the death of President Mwanawasa to extend their political mileage.
The viewing of President Mwanawasa's body was extended to 19:30 hours from the initial 16:30 hours and then the body was expected to lie in repose at Kabelenga Presidential Guest House until this today when it will be flown to Solwezi.
Finance Minister Ng'andu Magande, Sports Minister Gabriel Namulambe, Presidential Affairs Minister, Cecil Holmes, Energy and Water Development Permanent Secretary Peter Mumba, Principal Private Secretary Alfred Chipoya and MMD Party Chairman Michael Mabenga were among those that accompanied the body of Dr Mwanawasa.
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