By Daily Revelation Reporter
President Hakainde Hichilema has told former first lady Dr Christine Kaseba Sata to continue with the conversation the two had in Paris, France when she served as the country’s Ambassador to that country, saying the doors are still open for her.
Speaking during late president Michael Sata 10th Memorial Service which was held at Cathedral of the Holy Cross in Lusaka, President Hichilema said he would not say much on the content of the conversation the two had, but urged that they should be continued.
“Madam Ambassador Dr Kaseba Sata, doors are open. We had a very good conversation with her in Paris … at the Airport. So those conversations we had, I will not say anything on the content, can we move on those conversations that we had in Paris,” he said as he was giving his closing remarks.
Giving his remarks, President Hichilema thanked the host Church at Cathedral that had hosted many functions irrespective of ones Church.
He said Cathedral of the Holy Cross had been a host to may functions and he knew that presidents before him were speaking from there over many functions.
President Hichilema urged against creating unnecessary divisive conversations when it was really not necessary.
“Today it is to offer our memories of president Sata, to celebrate his life,” he said.
The President also thanked the family for allowing the government to conduct or support the service, saying it was the core of public office.
“Today it is us, tomorrow it will be others. That’s how a country runs. Thank you to the family, Ambassador Dr Kaseba Sata and your children, thank you Mulenga for coming and Kasolos to join this family, to celebrate our fifth president Michael Chilufya Sata,” he said. “We are very delighted to be part of this gathering today.”
President Hichilema said his presence at the memorial was out of duty and if there were other competing activities, they had to be put aside for him to be there together with the family.
He said there was time for everything and today was about remembering Sata to cherish his memories and to remember that he did not just do what he did for the family, but the whole country.
President Hichilema thanked everyone for being part of the memory and heritage for Sata.
He thanked Sata for serving the country in various positions.
President Hichilema said the roles presidents performed were not easy.
“There is an assumption out there what Mr Sata did and what we’re doing is easy. No! It’s not easy. I say to her remember, ndimukabene (I am married to other). I am now married to 20 million Zambians,” he said.
President Hichilema said he was aware that whatever his government was doing today in public office was because the path was curved for them.
He said those serving today stood on the shoulders of past presidents including president Edgar Lungu.
President Hichilema said he preached the message of unit to Zambians very clearly adding that there was no substitute to unity.
He narrated one incident he shared with Sata at his home when the two were working together on a pact to unseat the MMD.
“Some may not remember, I don’t know where Ambassador Dr Kaseba Sata was that particular afternoon, I went with Musiwa there to Mr Sata’s house in Rhodes Park, I don’t know where you were madam, the house was empty that day. Probably you pushed out other people so that we could have a frank conversation there, so and he took me in and said iwe wemuloshi (you wizard) sit here,” he said.
“First he showed me the house including your kitchen, so obviously he was trying to make me comfortable then he chose a place we sat there.”
President Hichilema said Sata late said, “iwe HH we should make this thing work. I am sure some of you know what this thing was. Trying to pull the country together. To carry the country forward. Trying hard to work together, to deporalise the country.”
He said Sata said a couple things to him that were instructive to him.
President Hichilema said Sata jokingly referred to him as calculator boy when he mentioned that they needed to work on a common programme, with the latter insisting that they first needed to get the pact moving and he could discuss the programme issues later.
President Hichilema said Sata had love for the country and wanted to pull the country together.
He also thanked Sata’s son Gerald for the wonderful music and asked the audience to clap for him as he recognised his great talent and wondered how he was being supported in that area.
President Hichilema said the country had a lot to learn from Sata.
“But we also have a lot to do to get the country going. The things he wanted done. If you notice, presidents come and do quite a lot of things, each president. Mr Sata understood local government,” he said.
The President said this was the reason he was making such decisions when he was in the presidency that were centred around decentralisation, include creation of 29 districts in his short presidency.
He said those in the government today would carry on to realise full operations of those districts as it was their duty.
President Hichilema said Sata made a decision which nobody was courageous to make before him to move the provincial capital from Livingstone to Choma.
“We know we are doing it for Mr Sata, for KK, we are doing for many. Free education, giving the opportunity to every child. We know that Mr Sata would give us a tick on that one as you say,” he said.
President Hichilema said CDF was also part of fulfilling Sata’s decentralisation local government agenda.
He said all mayors and councillors must full utilise these facilities.
President Hichilema also said there was need to pay attention more to the people at the bottom.
And Dr Christine Kaseba said the last 10 years have not been easy for her and the children but prayer and support from Zambians has strengthened them.
She said while the pain lingered and tears continued to flow, their faith in his God fearing nature gave the family hope that they shall meet again.
She described the late husband as someone who was larger than life.
Dr Kaseba said in a world of uncertainties, her husband stood as beacon of clarity and insight.
She said his remarkable sense of discernment allowed him to navigate life’s complexities with an extraordinary depth of understanding whether in personal relationships or professional endeavours.
“Ba Mikaeli had an inert ability to see beyond the surface, descerning personalities, descerning truths and falsehoods that others could overlook,” she said.
Dr Kaseba so said Sata was known for his ambition, relentless drive and sense of urgency.
She said her late husband was a man on a mission and he had little patience for delays or excuses.
“In his desire to effect real change, he could sometimes come out as blunt or even as a bully. It was quite amusing when he was governor, to watch men scramble to their posts whenever they spotted his vehicle approaching or heard his baritone voice from afar,” she said. The sudden flurry of activity was a testament to the respect and sometimes fear inspired in those moments. It was clear that his presence commanded attention and urgency as everyone instinctively sought to appear busy and ready to tackle the days challenges and this obviously contributed to the title of him being called man of action.”
She said Sata believed that anything could be achieved and approached every problem as a challenge to overcome.
Dr Kaseba also talked about his many legacies among them transformative projects that had beautified and developed the cities with improved infrastructure.
She also talked about how one could not talk of Avondale housing units and Merzarf flats in Chilenje without thinking of her husband, adding that the housing projects also empowered many.
She also talked about flyover bridges which served many lives even despite late president Dr Kenneth Kaunda having fired him over the same.
Dr Kaseba also added that Sata built many maternity centres, adding that by then, everyone used to go to the University Teaching Hospital (UTH) to deliver but he decentralised the services closer to the people.
She further talked about roads because he believed that he needed to link Zambia.
Dr Kaseba said Sata envisioned a Zambia that could stand tall among other nations and while he did not live to see all his dreams fulfilled, his vision should and must continue to inspire.
And former minister in Sata’s administration Emmanuel Chenda described his late boss as a resilient, dedicated and revolutionary patriot whose name had graced the political history of this country for many years.
Chenda said as someone who knew Sata since 1980, he could attest that his sincerity, passion, generosity and wisdom as an individual and a leader had always been an inspiration both within his circle and beyond.
He said Sata was a man of exceptional character and qualities.
“In him, he had several personalities compressed in one. President Sata was very kind hearted, forgiving, loving and generous yet very daring. Very rare combination I must say because for many of us, we can only be one personality to deal with different situations before us,” Chenda said.
“But president Sata was a extraordinary.”
Chenda said president Sata single handedly formed a political party and locked the entire country into non stop campaign mood, sharing and pounding, until he became president 10 years later.
Chenda said Sata was always ready and proud to show love and spread care for his people.
He said the poor remained a priority to him regardless of the circumstances.
Chenda also highlighted the UPND’s pro poor policies which would have elevated Sata if he was alive today.
He cited free education and the increase in Constituency Development Funds (CDF) which he said personifed Sata’s decentralisation policy and giving power to the power.
“Similarly, your Excellency, Mr President, your magnanimity, recognition, care extended to beloved friend and brother former vice president Dr Guy Scot, is worth our appreciation. Thank you your Excellency,” Chenda said to applause.
He said on the outside and from afar, Sata looked tough, rough and harsh but this was shell which he carried like tortoise.
“Deep inside, he was a soft and gentle man who lived and believed that sincere and sympathetic service to fellow mankind is the best work or life,” he said.
He said 10 years ago when he was privileged to speak at Sata’s funeral which was held at Heroes Stadium, he urged his colleagues in the PF government then and in the party to ensure his vision and selflessness was not interred with him.
“But I would like to ask these questions. One, how have we faired with president Sata’s vision? Two, if president Sata walked in here today now, how many of us here can confidently look him in the eye and say we kept his flag, flying at full mast and we proudly kept his legacy alive,” asked Chenda.
