The late President Levy Mwanawasa will be buried at Embassy Park in Lusaka and not at his Palabana farm as earlier stated, government has announced.
The Embassy Park is situated off Independence Avenue, opposite the Cabinet Office in Lusaka.
Secretary to the Cabinet, Joshua Kanganja announced this in a press statement in Lusaka today.
“Government wishes to inform the general public that upon further discussions and consultations with the first family of our late republican President, Dr. Levy Mwanawasa, SC, it has been resolved to change the venue where he shall be put to rest,” Dr. Kanganja said.
He said, “Therefore, the late republican President Dr. Mwanawasa will be buried at Embassy Park in Lusaka and not at his Palabana farm.”
Earlier, government had announced that Dr. Mwanawasa would be buried at his Palabana farm in Chongwe district on September 3rd, 2008.
Dr. Mwanawasa, who died in Paris on Tuesday 19th August, leaves behind a wife and six children.
ZANIS/YK/KSH/ENDS
At least this makes sense.
thats good now,
yes #1 it makes sense
this is good news.l suspect the earlier decision to bury LPM at palabana was made by our crazy first widow.
this makes a lot of common sense.thanks to the sculpture man at freedom statute called Nchito Mpundu
We are tired of these changes mwebuteko. Why can`t you be consistent with your programe. As at now we are not taking your statements serioursly. Where are you going to bury the wives for the presidents?
yes #1
Why not create a burial place where we could resting our leaders just like in Zim,they have heroes park
i agree with you #1
#2 What is good, the soil is the same no matter where. Can you elaborate your short statement and #1 What makes sense iwe kolwe
nhee,ba Annonimous simungapumeko lelo.
just leave your PC for a day please rest before you develop
a stroke.
GOVT MUKALASABAILA with this 21 day period. Make up your minds!! George Bush had sent flowers to panabalama farms and now he has to send them to Embassy park?
Ku Zed nako we still have that mentality praising people once they kick the bucket, bupuba sana. Give praise to a person when they are alive ba kolwe ne fipato
I applaud the decision
8. WISCONSIN says: Aug 25th, 2008 at 6:24 pm
Why not create a burial place where we could resting our leaders just like in Zim,they have heroes park
_________________________________________________________________
Iwe # 8 create a burail place? where is the land? dont u know there no land in lsk unless muma outskirts!
Ifimatoobo
The next thing they should consider now is bringing forward the burial date before our crazy first widow chases away more mourners.
ba anonymous muli bansele,what is your problem?is it some personal issues?fade up of you
# 13- Anonymous you have been a moral contributer always nanaga
ma insults yamene mwayamba futi.
This is the most sensible decision coming out of our leaders…bravo! Regards creating another burial site, I think this place will suffice for now – it is more than adequate to fit a few more dead leaders. What we need now is to turn into a park (would be good to visit this place with family and friends from outside of Zambia). currently it is a bit of an eyesore, save for that monstrous erection. Now let us watch them trip over the nominations for possible candidates!
Abena Lisa and others yesterday mwalifye muma amen but today you are just insulting yashani. How do you expect Ponyax to change when yourselves are jokers. But today shatukanepo AMEN.
#10, grow up man. Do you need an explantion to understand that the decision makes sense, you foool? Your mother must be a witch id!ot.
#8 Why should we create a burial place now, when leaders like Kapwepwe, Nkumbula, Katilungu and many others lost their lives for the sake of Zambia but have been burried else where. Why have’t you come up with your bright idea earlier on? Why now? U must be out of your mind. Mind you certian people do make wills on where they would like to be put to rest, and that you can not change, so ifya ma heroes u can create a burial place in your backyard so that every morning you say hello to yor heroes
#21 how do you know,yours must be a witch too.talk about sensible things instead of a bunch of crap
#10 Anonymous, if you are stressed,take a break. No need to start insulting each other,just blog peacefully
This makes more sense and there is more space for past and future presdo. We can even sacrifice one Embassy if it comes to that for our History sake…Convince MM on tour abandonments also.
#10,14 Anonymous,ndimwe ba sola,where is the moon position in zambia?pumani and come back when the moon goes down.Because now we will never take you seriously as it looka your mood is controlled by the moon position.
May some one in the USA advise me if JK is still coming.He was sheduled to perfom on 13th sep in DC and i have already bought the ticket but no news.adise please
But yeee, ba Govt! I knw this situ is alien to you you needed time to learn but we cant accept your ineptitude, one statement today another tomorrow, didnt you know Levy was dying in Paris? next you will change burial date to say you have just re consulted the widow, my arse.
It is becoming clear to me that our current crop of leaders are either lacking in decision-making skills or else they are relying on faulty instruments for decision making (if these are even in existence). How many times we are we going to be informed of another change in programs or is it a change in confusion? Surely some sanity could do us some good, mwe bantu. Dont embarrass us further, please. RB take charge from today on – you are president now.
PONYAX always great to see u
Palabana was chosen by Dr.Mwanawasa years back.He mentioned this to many senior party confidants, in his WILL i hear so, family members and to his office.This he prepared many colleagues on after his first stroke in 2006.
If one leaves behind a written commitment but by virtue of served position in public office, authority change burial site on consideration of hstory security and symbolism, it becomes malicious, cheap and immoral to insult the widow
soon u will be saying u knew about the change pragmatist
Icisosa cipamano iwe! wamona umuntu mutwe! The old freedom fighter has given direction. Not Ba Sata he only speaks nonsense
Mulongoti should just shut up. He is not even presidential material and we all know he talks a lot of rubbish.
But, I can smell a rat over the country wide trips involving the body of our president. Why is the first lady accompanying the body instead of the Acting President or defence minister. I think she is trying to garner a sympathy vote. She may be using these trips to claim people over the country have chosen. Remember what Chiluba did in 1991. He fooled people but after his country wide tour , he said the whole country wanted him to contest the presidency. So watch Maureen!
Where is SATA? Bachimusesela umukamba. But that was a very silly act from the former first lady.
Icalo nacamba ukuiteka. Anyone now can lead.
#30 before he was President when he was private property, now he is Public property so the public decides where this public good will be put to rest. The only thing there, is the dirty and unkempt surroundings which would render the place to all sorts of vandalism. Anyhow maybe this is the time to clean up the place, and rehabilitate the road around and leading to there now that there is an important man who will lie there, I am hoping there will be no other change of burial place, I am told this is the third tym.
What has happened to the ‘Will’ he left? Does it not hold water?
too many changes pa zed.one never knows what will come tomorrow. yaba. does this government really know how to plan before giving out speeches.plze, don’t make levy into a demi-god
#39, you should have seen the confusion at the Airpot when the LPM arrived.
The current leaders are swinging like pendulums.That decision should have been made a long time ago. If the current swings in decision making is to be used as an index of decisiveness,then the leadership does not seem to give positive signs of the future.When these ministers meet, they need to seriously discuss issue b4 making decisions.With international agreements, you dont just run around in circles like a kangaroo and keep changing your mind.I am really disappointed with the lack of resolve but quite happy common sense has prevailed
This is good cos the farm was a private place.Now generations to come will have history which will be easily traced good & timely decision by government
#41 Imagine, we are told that the Brig Generals will be Pall Bearers, the clowns start walking on the sides of the casket, when you see the procession in France compared to the circus at the International Airport in Lusaka, you would immediately withdraw the VAT free beer in Army barracks. These guys better be serious, that is why anybody can poke us in the face and nothing happens because they know our army is asleep, they claim they had a rehearsal so what were they rehearsing?
THE CURRENT RESTING PLACE SUGGESTED BY OUR GOV’T IS THE BEST,BECAUSE THE COFFIN AND THE BODY OF OUR BELOVED LATE REPUBLICAN PRESIDENT WILL BE SECURED MOSTLY,UNLIKE IN EARLIER PROPOSED PLACES,AM SURE EVERYONE OF YOU KNOWS WHAT WAS GOING ON PREVIOUSLY WHERE COFFINS AND BODIES WERE TEMPED BY UNKIND THUGS.THAT PLACE IS HIGHLY SECURED BY THE STATE POLICE AND ALSO CITIZENS AS IT’S AN OPEN PLACE.IT WILL ALSO BE EASY FOR VISITING HEADS OF STATE AND OTHER ZAMBIANS CURRENTLY OUTSIDE THE COUNTRY TO PAY THEIR LAST RESPECT EACH TIME THEY VISITED ZAMBIA AS FUNERAL NEVER END. DAVID RICHARD-MONROVIA-LIBERIA
Ha, those generals and other so called ranked solder dudes will hardly have the strength to lift that casket, what with their pot-bellies and all. Brace yourselves for the worst people..
#15 you are mad!!!Iwe ulemona nabakwete ifimatobo. You have a unique skill.
Solomon said a living dog is better than a dead lion. He further argued that there is no difference regarding the destination of the soul of an animal and that of man for they all came from dust and to dust they will return. People whether we bury at Palabana, state house, embassy park-name it-LPM returns to dust. So I dont see any wisdom in the choice of the burial place. I cant wait for 3rd sept when he will fianlly be put to rest wherever that will be. Lets not worship LPM. Sadly, MMD is using him as compaing material in the name of showing respect. RESPECT?
#44 Who would steal Levy’s casket? Where would they sell it? Its like stealing a limo;you would have a very big task selling it unlike a corolla. Having had said that perharps it could be beneficial to burry him where the security can keep an eye on him until his term comes to an end when he would be less at risk. In old Egypt the pharaos had their own burial sites and if we want to go that route then we better start looking for land for we are setting a precedent. Is there enough space at the same embassy park to accommodate a few more? We still have Chiluba, Kaunda and possibly Sata(God forbid) on the way.
Please govt let us make that place clean and nice to befit a honorable burial site and national monument.
#43 Mwiinga you have made my day. Those chaps just have titles to themselves which dont match the expected skill and strength. That said rehearsal, did they use the very casket with LPM in or at least an equal weight of LPM+CASKET? If not we might be in for some drama of some kind.
Better we make a barial place 4 our leaders!That’s a way it’s everywhere even in USA.Only ignorant people can argue that.
Hundreds coverage on airport, thousands line streets
By NIGEL MULENGA in sunday mail
To be honest after reading this article am filled with great compassion.I feel a sense of lose and i ‘m holding back tears but for the environment i’m in.I wish i was home and shared this grief with my fellow zambians.
God why Zambia???
I THANK YOU #47 FOR YOUR WISE THINKING MY BROTHER,
TAKE CARE
DAVID RICHARD-MONROVIA-LIBERIA
Palabana is a private property which could be sold any time. President’s grave could be decimated in a matter of 75 years to pave way for growing cereals by new land lords.
The collective wisdom of Zambian people to bury Mwanawasa on a public property attests to the vitality of our nation. In the US for example, the dignitaries buried at Ailington close to DC had more productive private farms. Thank you Zambia.
# 43 But are you trying to say that its wrong to have Brig. Generals as pall bearers? This is a president who has died even Maj. Generals can be pall bearers. I didn’t expect that critism from you Mwiinga.
#51. I agree with you. I am suffering here in Scandinavia. I really wish I was in Zambia to unleash this burden. I was in Zambia though when he suffered the stroke but now I am far away from home.
ZNBC news 20:00: Mulongoti warns people intending to desrupt the funeral procession of “Stein” action, relating to Sata’s presence in Chipata
This is very wrong move by government.They should think twice about it.How can you change some late’s person power of choosing?
This is just too childish for our government.
Ati 3rd September yalaba Public Holiday. How and Why. When our Natonal Football team died nothing of that magnitude was decided. Your views
So whats the use of taking him round when not everyone in those provinces will have access to body viewing?Why cant the same invited ones travel to Lusaka to view LPM’s body? Kwena, you’ve got ways of misusing money. If people are being chased away, why take the body around? Just to shine that they ‘v got powers to chase? What did Sata do for him to be chased? I think that was very childish unless justified.
LT organize a Convention so that we can attach faces to these names and have a face to face debate.
They are setting a precedence. What else is in the Will which will be altered? Technically the Will ceases to be valid. If the late wanted some property assigned to a certain member of the family that can be contested. They should be very careful about the decisions they make as this will backfire when the Will has to be implemented. They have us the public to satisfy but what about if a dispute arises within the family about the contents of the Will?
Cabinet must be commended for such a wise decision. What you want is a site that is a public site that is not open to abusive tendencies (graffiti, looting, desecration etc) but open to public inspection and public servants 24/7 from a distance. The chance that all Zambians will view or place flowers at that site at least once in their life time is GREAT.
Thank you!
I swear GRZ is run based on comments on LT:
7 to 21 days
Palabana to embassy park.
Mulogoti not so popular to Mulogoti won’t run for president
and many more …
By the way this Heros’ Acre being has caused a lot of emotions in Zim,
It’s the prerogative of the ruling party and it’s prez to decide who makes to that place,
certain individual who fellout with the party line have been denied a ticket to the acre,however deserving they may have been
Why do I get the sneaking suspicion this man left no will either? Otherwise, I believe he’d have indicated his preferred burial place. Oh, boy, I see total confusion in the family tree ahead!!
So does this mean that piece of land will become a cemetary for Presidents? Can someone enlighten me on how it will work when KK and Chiluba die? Are we going to bury them there too? If not, why? I think burying him at the farm made sense. But not Palabana Farm as that piece as far as I know was taken from UNZA and probably must still belong to UNZA. Let him be burried at his farm in Ndola close to his family and Mother. That is what makes sense.
GUYS how come the copper caskit was readily available for LPM’s body.
I think he died a long time ago and only announced the death on the 19th.(ASK THE FRENCH PILOTS AND CARISTO)
Thus giving the former 1st lady enuf time to shuttle in and out of lusaka to make any nessesary changes to her benefit.
So, it simply means that our government has never envisioned the death of a former or sitting president. I say this because of the flip-floping of the burial place.
So i guess the government makes the final decision. Therefore, i guess KK and Chiluba will also be buried in the same place.
Not too bad, may be we can make it a tourist attraction in the future.
Part 1 of 4
Within a few months of a US President being sworn in, he/she is supposed to sit down with a “Protocol Officer” and stipulate what is to be done at the time of the President’s (and First Lady’s/Gentleman’s) death (such as burial arrangements, funeral procession etc). The Federal Government honours the Presidents with a State Funeral. The final resting place is decided by the President and his/her family e.g. Ronald Reagan was buried at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley, California, Gerald Ford was interred at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library and Museum in Grand Rapids, Michigan etc. [#50 is inaccurate about the US].
Part 2 of 4
In Zambia, however, we have not had death of a sitting/past President until now. Therefore, we’ve NEVER set the protocol for a President’s State Funeral. We can only imagine the confusion going on at Cabinet Office as the funeral programme for our late President is being made. It is a hefty task (combined with the emotional atmosphere) and the Government should be commended……under the circumstances. Because this is a continuous learning process, we should expect more changes to come as Zambia tries to set a ‘funeral protocol’ for the Republican President.
Part 3 of 4
Note that a State Funeral (for a President for that matter), though during a period of national mourning, is a gallant occasion to show a Country’s pride i.e. they are trying to set a precedence. Next year, we shall all look back and feel proud that we gave Zambia’s Third President a Presidential State Funeral….despite all the confusion that we are seeing today as per [6, 12, 27, 28, 39].
Part 4 of 4
With reference to [68], I do not know many Zambians who would freely talk about dying and their final resting places – it’s not indigenous to our culture. However, I do believe that we are facing some cultural evolution and such issues should be determined, especially for public figures, to avoid future confusions. In the meanwhile, I guess we’ll continue discussing issues such as creating a burial place for Presidents [8, 37, 50] or to honour their wishes (I wouldn’t be surprised if LPM had already picked a spot at Palabana Farm) [30,31, 57].
good news!!
am now used to changes at any time with the government.But this is good though.
but what if that was in his will???
There comes a time when certain events opens up so many questions.Questions such as,were shall we bury our president?What place and site? why this place?This place we choose now is it for all presidents and well deserving citizens?What will be the criteria for such a burial?I suppose,if we were to be an organised people,better than the ancient Egyptians who built tombs for their leaders,we would definetly find and allocate a place for such burials.If found it would make sense to exhume the bones of all those who died saving Zambia well and inter them at such a place as this.However,If we claim to be more modern and better than the ancient Egyptians we have to do this.
Don’t be unreasonable.The problems we have as zambians we dont appreciate our own actions,values traditons etc.My experince has exposed me to a lot of happenings especially in government operations.The issue of pall bearers is as per defence regulations.The president was a commander in chief of the zambia armed forces.now there is a difference between pall bearers and carrying party you civillian.You watch properly the carrying party are private soldiers and this is the same in most countires.Why cant you ask b4 desplaying your ignorance.
Good sense!
Such a site is befitting of a head of state and allows the public to show their respect without getting onto private property!
It makes much sense…..its a pitty gov had to be reminded about that protocol…wake up
If I weren’t Zambian I would have been surprised by some of the comments on this board. LPM was the sitting PRESIDENT of the Republic of Zambia.There is no higher title in Zambia.He died while in office. It is only right to have around 21 days of National Mourning. Given the lack of transport. and comm. to a large number of Zambians,it is only proper that his body be taken to all the provincial capitals. Whether you liked his politics or not or stayed neutral(like me) he was the President of Zambia. No expense should be spared to see him off. He was our Head of State and should be sent off like one. If you didn’t respect the man you have to at least respect the Office.The world is watching.
By Army protocol..Who is supposed to be the presidents pall bearers.. I gues Privates, not Generals of any foarm.Generals and conels only ball bears their fellows. The President is a Civillian and he is to be pallbeared by privates for respect of the Civil cause. Anywone with military funeral protocol to educate us.
It is correct to say that Sata, HH, General Miyanda,Edith Nawakwi, and all other former political oponents could be made honary pallbearers to our presdient. This is the protocol. A genaral is not supposed to ball beare on the President unless they are retired.. privates are supposed to carry the coffin.
good idea #8
This is good news in deed….he was a President and not just a civilian he needs to be buried where we can all have access.
Proposed burial site of the late president by gvt is quiet good,just because other mourners from outside country like zambia national soccer team which was not at present viewing the body to an access to go and have a look at were their president has been buried than travelling to palavana in chongwe district. well done gvt.
moses mukenda
where will Chiluba and kaunda be barried??
In matters of this nature, it is mature to hold on to any announcement until all options and stake holders have been consulted.If 3rd Sept still stands, Govt has ample time to make decisions rather than appear to be panicking and swinging on all issues concerning our beloved presidents funeral.It started with the date of arrival of the body,then the days allocated for national mourning and now burial site. Let us exhibit maturity and composure.
I am totally in support of the decision to lay HE at Embassy park. But as a way forward Zambia deserves a heros acre where eminent persons who have served Zambia with distiction in prescribed spheres can be laid to rest.
there same embassy park is big enough for our life time atleast. Levy will only occupy a small portion of it, so will KK and FTJ. And much later, the man ESK
#85, Chiluba at Chingwere and Kaunda at Embassy park
Heroes’s Park? It’d be interesting to consider who would be eligible … during KK’s time this idea came up and died coz some bootlickers wanted KK’s parent’s to be eligible … Ha ha ha!!!
That makes so much sense now!Embassy park is so near and convenient to most people.I hope it will be enough space to carter for all heads of state.
#90.A standard criteria must be set by Cabinet Office in consultation with other stake and not STEAK holders.Just like those eligible to receive medals are supposed to be chosen meritoriuosly.
Chiluba should be buried in Musangu or Ndola!! Zema Ndola nishani what’s your comment!!!
That was a wise decision.we need to burry him closer to us.he was a great man.M.H.S.R.I.P
Chiluba should be Minced up pre packed in tin cans and exported to afgan thats my comment.
Good idea, at least it will be accessible by all. And for the future generation it will be easy to take children and other visits to the site of our brave hero LPM.
Polite advice to cabinet – you need to be proactive with such arrangements.Think of the confusion you are causing to those that are comming form outside Zambia with the changes in the program.
#4 carefull do say crazy crazy u can be trucked mwaiche
#4 carefull dont say crazy crazy u can be trucked mwaiche dont say that again
Burial Site Ok. Can we now exhume our National Team Heroes and bury them there? Can we also exhume, Reuben Kamanga, Solomon Kalulu, Mainza Chona as well. Levy needs the company there.
lets not wish death for kk and chiluba .. dont talk about were they were sleep GOD MAY CAME TODAY OWE !
58,u are right bcoz when we lost the National Team and nothing happened. Not even a holiday and a memorial public holidy. just imagine, The National Team against one personal (LPM). I dont understand this? Wondering!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
That burial place is good at least we are learning from the past mistakes and moving on with time.My Children will be able to pay last respects to Levy when we visit Zed in 6 Months time ichililo tachipwa,we could not contemplate going to Palabana or Teka farm.
#10.am doubting u.u dont hav manners.how do u pass such silly statements.am sure u don’t have much to do.its either u work in an internet cafe or u r just some lousy lazy conman around town.get a life and stop being childish.this site was meant 4 sensible people who analyze issues and not dull chaps like u.to everyone lets be realistic and behave in a normal way.lets not be insulting each others’ credibility and intelligence.lets argue responsibly and that way we can learn something.to the people incharge of this site pliz fish out chaps like #10 who think they know it all.they should get some education of some sort.to all my fellow intellectuals,lets analyse issues and chart the way 4ward
ITS A GUD IDEA ATLEAST WE R MOVIN WITH TIME HOW CUD U BURIE A DELOVED LEADER IN THE BUSH EN WHO DID YOU EXPECT TO GUIDE THE PLACE
I wonder who’s at the funeral house since the first widow has chosen to join the Body viewing marathon.
Tule pela kwi?
Maureen li fotinii eya pesha amano.
There seems to be a clone of myself, however not with as much forethought as my good self, I hope fellow bloggers will appreciate this much, as my pseudonym is all in small case, though I’ve used capital B b4.
I agree with 6 & 8. we should have designated a special burial place long b4, so where are we going to bury KK since LPM has taken center stage at the cenotaph/embassy park. Are we going to sctter our leaders & heros all over the place? someone alluded to the USA, there is Arlington, but if the 1st family make some other preference, this is accomodated. Yes Govt is powerful & can create a bylaw to designate a burial ground on a one off occasion as now, but lets not make it a habit.
Arlington National Cemetery,Arlington,Virginia,USA [107],is a Military Cemetery-but a sitting/former President may also be buried there.Only 2 US Presidents are buried there;William Howard Taft (1857~1930,20th US President) & John Fitzgerald Kennedy “JFK”(1917~1963,35th US President).As stated in [69], the US First Family, as with most public figures in America, leave burial instructions.It is a PERSONAL decision which the Federal Government normally honours.But that’s in the US! I am sure that the Zambian Government’s decision to bury our late President at Embassy Park is/was in good faith; after much consideration (& consultation with the Mwanawasa family).Future Presidents???
#34 how can u ask such a stupid thing as why is the first lady accompanying the body instead of Rupiah Banda…iwe why do u think she was the first lady..she was married to him and has every right to move around with his body. Dont be so shallow minded!!Seeking a sympathy vote my ass…aweh Zambians twa chilamo lets have some respect for the first family and the late president
The truth now has been to rest MHRIP