4 September 2008
editorial
FOR a man who had an inauspicious start to his first term in office, President Levy Mwanawasa has finished very well.
Many believed he was too temperamental for a president, but in the end the nobility of his motives has shone through.
Although his physical body was racked by infirmities, nobody could doubt that he was a hard worker.
He grew in stature into a statesman but still seemed more at home imparting values of a family man.
Unsophisticated in explaining economic theory, but he seemed to know intuitively the right thing to do about various sectors of the economy.
Ushered into his first term through controversial circumstances, he became a crusader for clean politics and government.
Unashamed personal public profession of his faith, yet adamant on the injustice of death penalty, contrary to traditional evangelical position on the matter.
Although he was party president, he showed no great stomach for incessant party infighting.
He suffered successive personal tragedies but quickly put them aside and worked to bring hope to others.
Ready to help the sinking ship of his neighbours even when such unsolicited action exposed him to obvious anger.
Never afraid of pursuing wrong doers, no matter how sophisticated they were, and did so at the risk of becoming unpopular.
A stickler for principle who still found the capacity to reconcile with long-time political enemies for the greater interest of his country.
Never the quintessential charismatic politician, but undoubtedly bringing a new way of doing politics.
He fought a good fight and died fighting, setting a living example to all those who would dare enter public life, that public life was not for the faint-hearted or rolling stones.
It is a result of all these personality traits, and the achievements of Dr Mwanawasa's presidency across the spectrum of Zambian life that there is unanimity on the desire to nurture the legacy he has left on society.
Whether supporter or critic, there is agreement that he served with sincerity, honesty and integrity.
With the doubts that attended his first inauguration now dissolved, in the face of his tremendous achievements, Dr Mwanawasa has raised the bar for future presidents of Zambia.
Because Dr Mwanawasa has run his race so well, those after him will have to equal his feat or better his score.
There are very few who will disagree with the assertion that Dr Levy Patrick Mwanawasa gave his all for his country, as a way of serving his God.
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