By Chinoyi Chipulu
Acting PF leader Given Lubinda says late president Edgar Lungu was criticised and called chimbwi no plan yet he delivered beyond the expectations of many Zambians.
And Lubinda has called for national unity, reflection, and dignity as the country mourns the death of the sixth president Edgar Lungu who died in South Africa on Tuesday.
Speaking at the requiem mass in Pretoria, Lubinda urged Zambians to rise above political divisions as they mourn the former head of state.
He urged all Zambians to see this moment as a turning point, a call to restore dignity, compassion, and respect in national discourse and leadership transitions.
“This is not about politics. It’s about what president Lungu stood for peace, he endured humiliation without revenge. If we do not learn from his strength, we risk learning from anger and hate. Let go of anger. Let unity be our response. Let the dignity that was denied to him in life be restored in death,” Lubinda said.
He said Lungu would be remembered as a resilient man who soldiered on even when people castigated him and would be remembered as a person who did not benefit from what he planted.
He said though the former president built roads in the country, he was denied to jog on the same roads.
“He built markets yet he was not allowed to visit those markets when he left office. He built hospitals and constructed airports yet he was not allowed to use the same things he built,” he said. “All we can do now is to ask God why? …. I will not ask God why he has taken him, but please God give all those who have answers to give us answers why he was not allowed to seek medical attention when he needed it the most, God, let them tell us why.”
Lubinda said Lungu was treated differently even when he died as the sitting President failed to announce his death.
“He deserved to be treated the same way his predecessors were treated we waited but nothing. Many people shed tears when they saw that the one who broke the news was his daughter Tasila, why?” he asked.
“We shed tears not just because president Edgar Chagwa Lungu has died, but because of how he was treated. If we cannot come together to honor a man who served all of us, then what future do we offer those who will serve after him? ”
He said Lungu withstood a lot and did not fight back.
“They called him chimbwi (someone without no plan, they called him chakolwa (drunkard) but he delivered beyond expectation when he was president,” he said.
And PF secretary general Raphael Nakachinda said that Lungu will be remembered as a humble man who encouraged leaders not to be hypocrites.
Nakachinda said Lungu protected all citizens despite their political affiliation.
