4 September 2008
AFRICAN leaders have described President Levy Mwanawasa as a courageous Pan-Africanist who never feared to speak his mind in whatever circumstances.
African Union (AU) chairperson, Jakaya Kikwete and Southern African Development Community (SADC) chairperson, Thabo Mbeki, described Dr Mwanawasa as a true African leader who spoke his mind.
The two African presidents were speaking at President Mwanawasa's funeral service held at Parliament grounds yesterday.
Mr Kikwete, who is the president of Tanzania, said Dr Mwanawasa was a visionary leader who was admired by other leaders in the region.
"President Mwanawasa was not afraid to speak his mind no matter what," Mr Kikwete said.
He said Dr Mwanawasa was a champion of democracy who did a lot for the cause of Zambians and his death came as a shock to the rest of Africa.
He assured Zambians that they were not alone in mourning their president because the whole continent had lost a leader and a true Pan-Africanist.
He said Dr Mwanawasa led Zambia with great determination, honesty and integrity and while Zambians would find it difficult to come to terms with the loss, they should look to God for guidance.
President Mbeki said Dr Mwanawasa's death was an enormous loss not only to Zambia and SADC but the whole African continent.
Mr Mbeki said Africa had lost a person who had humility and honesty in his commitment for African development and that other leaders had come to mourn him in solidarity.
"He was a soldier who was committed to the development of the continent and his contribution to problems facing the SADC region and Africa will be missed," he said.
Mr Mbeki said President Mwanawasa was committed to economic and political integration in line with peace and stability in the region.
He said the SADC region would honour Dr Mwanawasa by continuing with his wishes that include infrastructure integration and by ensuring that the SADC trade protocol is signed this year.
He said Dr Mwanawasa was never afraid to speak his mind and that despite some difficulties, he provided exemplary leadership and fought all the way for the people of Zambia.
He challenged other leaders to emulate his fight for the benefit of their people.
And ZANIS reports that earlier, three African heads of State yesterday paid their last respects to Dr Mwanawasa at State House.
Namibian President, Hifikepunye Pohamba, was the first to do so, at 07:25 hours, and was followed by Ghana's John Kufour and Madagascar's Marc Ravalomanana, who arrived at State House at 07:58 hours and 08:14 hours, respectively.
In his message of condolences, Mr Pohamba said Namibia shares in the pain and sorrow that Zambia is experiencing following the death of president Mwanawasa.
Mr Pohamba said the death of Dr Mwanawasa is a loss to SADC and the AU.
Mr Kufour said president Mwanawasa served Zambia and Africa well.
And Mr Ravalomanana prayed that God should bless Dr Mwanawasa's soul to rest in eternal peace.
On Tuesday, eight heads of State paid their last respects to Dr Mwanawasa at State House.
They included Malawi's Bingu wa Mtharika, Botswana's Ian Khama and Joseph Kabila of the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Others were Kenya's Mwai Kibaki, Zimbabwe's Robert Mugabe, Tanzania's Jakaya Kikwete, Mozambique's Armando Guebuza and Lesotho Prime Minister, Pakhalita Mosisili.
Former Tanzanian president Benjamin Mkapa, Ugandan vice-president, Gilbert Bukenya and Swaziland's Deputy Prime Minister Constance Simelane also paid their last respects to the late Zambian head of state.
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