President Hakainde Hichilema has called on Zambians to remember late former President Michael Sata for the positive contributions that he rendered to the country.
Mr Hichilema says Zambians must continue to celebrate Mr Sata’s legacy with respect and dignity because the man served the country with love and unity which must be fostered going forward.
Speaking during fifth former republican President Sata’s 10th memorial service at the Anglican Cathedral of the holy Cross in Lusaka today, Mr Hichilema said his Government will continue to roll out social and economic services to citizens in fulfilment of Sata’s vision of uplifting people’s livelihoods.
“Today is a special day for the Zambian people to cherish and remember the many positive contributions that late Michael Sata rendered to mother Zambia during his illustrious career as Governor, Minister and President,” he said.
He reiterated that whatever developmental projects that his Government is rolling out across the country especially in sectors such as education and local government is as a result of late Sata’s clear path he created during his reign as President.
The Head of State further emphasized the importance of the country to continue embracing love, peace and unity in diversity in a bid to honour Mr Sata who always preached love.
“Our commitment today going forward is to carry on Mr Sata’s ambitious agenda to uplift people’s livelihoods by embracing pro-poor programmes such as the free education policy, decentralisation in form of CDF which are aimed at improving the lives of vulnerable,” he added.
He explained that Zambians have a lot to learn from Mr Sata’s legacy of compassion and service before self.
Mr Hichilema has since commended the Sata family for inviting him to give a keynote speech at the 10th memorial service at the Anglican Cathedral of the Holy Cross.
And in her tribute, former first lady, Christine Kaseba said her husband’s legacy will forever linger in her mind and that of the family as he was a pillar to the family and the country at large.
She explained that Mr Sata was a romantic, charming and selfless leader as well as an honest man who believed in alleviating the suffering of the family and the vulnerable in communities.
Ms Kaseba noted that her late husband was a loving and forgiving person who preached love at every moment in his whole life.
She asked the President to unify the country which has become polarised as a way to honour late Sata who believed in love and a united Zambia and that differences should not have a place in the country.
The former first lady has since commended President Hichilema for accepting the invitation to attend the memorial and encouraged him to work tirelessly to promote peace and unity, the values Mr Sata believed in.
Sata’s daughter, Mwelwa Harupen remembered that her father ensured that his children lived an ordinary life and believed in building others through a helping hand.
She explained that her father inculcated a spirit of hard work in them as opposed to depending on others.
In his special tribute, former Minister of Agriculture, Emmanuel Chenda thanked President Hichilema for the introduction of the free education policy which late fifth President Sata believed in.
Ambassador Chenda reiterated that late President Sata ruled the country with a pro-poor ideology and that the free education policy stands out to warrant late President Sata a befitting honour during his 10th memorial.
He also remembered the late former President Sata as one who devoted to serving not only his family but everyone regardless of status in society.
Ambassador Chenda further described late former President Sata as an extraordinary man with the tenacity to ensure that everyone has access to quality social services.
Later, the President with wife Mutinta Hichilema, Sata’s family among others, laid wreaths at the late Mr Sata’s grave at Embassy park Presidential burial site.
