Tuesday 28 June 2011

“HIS GREATEST GIFT TO ZAMBIA WAS DEMOCRACY”; PRESIDENT BANDA REFLECTS AT DR CHILUBA’S FUNERAL

President Rupiah Banda

Late President Dr. Frederick Chiluba
President Rupiah Banda delivered a moving speech in honour of the late President Dr. Frederick Chiluba, as he joined thousands of Zambia’s in marking his passing at a state funeral today.
Taking the podium at Embassy Park in Lusaka, where Dr Chiluba was buried, President Banda applauded the passion and dedication displaced by the late second Republican president of Zambia, saying Dr Chiluba’s journey through life “was truly extraordinary”.
In seeking equality and justice for Zambia, the late President succeeded in “securing better conditions for working Zambians,” while his establishment of the Movement for Multiparty Democracy “served as a vehicle to deliver development to the Zambian people.”
Joining African dignitaries past and present, President Banda celebrated Dr Chiluba’s ability to navigate political differences and instead focus on building a better Zambia – looking to the future, not the past.
President Banda said: “We take for granted what he did – but the policies he started are carried on today. Making sure Zambians have the security of a roof over their heads by owning houses – this policy was initiated by him. His belief in the free market, the process of privatization and his tough stance on foreign aid marked the foundations of the Zambia we know and love today.”
And mid-way through election year, President Banda took a moment to reflect on Dr Chiluba’s achievements in briefing political democracy to Zambia, saying, “It is true that his greatest gift to Zambia was the establishment of a lasting and sound democratic system.”

No comments:

Post a Comment