29 August 2008
editorial
The nation has bid farewell to President Mwanawasa following the week-long provincial funeral itinerary which wound up in Kabwe yesterday.
It was an extremely emotional moment for Zambians everywhere in the nine provinces of the country.
Scenes of grief characterised the reaction of the multitudes that welcomed the president's funeral procession in all provincial centres.
People fainted with emotion while others could not take it all in as the reality of the situation before them sunk in.
Zambians, and all their brothers and sisters who live in their midst in all communities in the country, have been united in mourning President Mwanawasa.
From Chipata to Kabwe where the president's body has been taken, the turn-out of the very old and very young and the acute grief etched on the faces of the mourners has been consistent.
Traditional rulers too, in a solid show of sorrow for the nation, turned out in all the provinces to join their subjects in mourning the president.
In most of the provincial centres, people trooped to the venues of the funeral long before the arrival of the funeral cortege.
The outpouring of grief that Zambians have exhibited throughout the country speaks volumes of thefondnesswith which the people of this country will cherish the memory of President Mwanawasa.
It is a demonstration of the wide acceptance that President Mwanawasa enjoyed among all the people of Zambia regardless of their political persuasion.
Every corner of the country feels an acute sense of personal loss following the death of President Mwanawasa.
As Southern Province Minister, DanielMunkombweobserved,Dr Mwanawasa was Zambia 's hero whoachieved a lot for the people of Zambia.
He toiled ceaselessly for the country, cementing unity, peace and bringing development for every citizen.
He cared for every facet of life that concernedZambians and took time to channel his energies to the resolution of any difficulties that confronted the people of Zambia.
Just as the nation has united in mourning President Mwanawasa from east to west, north to south, they should maintain the same unity in remembering him and carrying aloft his banner.
It will be a befitting honour that the nation could bestow on Dr Mwanawasa.
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