The late former Republican Vice President and Forum for Democracy and Development (FDD) founder Member General Christon Tembo was today put to rest at his farm house in Makeni area.
Hundreds of people from all walks of life witnessed the burial of General Tembo who died last week on Friday, March 6, 2009 at the University Teaching Hospital (UTH) after an illness.
Among those who attended General Tembo’s burial were Republican Vice President George Kunda, First President Kenneth Kaunda, Second President Frederick Chiluba, opposition Forum for Democracy and Development (FDD) President Edith Nawakwi and All People’s Congress Party (ACP) President Ken Ng’ondo.
Others were former Republican Vice Presidents Dr Nevers Mumba, Enock Kavindele and General Godfrey Miyanda respectively, Defence Chiefs, Diplomatic Corps, Cabinet ministers and other senior government officials.
Vice President George Kunda, who represented government during the burial procession described the late General Christon Tembo as a gallant leader who was dedicated to upholding the lives of the people not only in the Zambian army but in the country as a whole.
Mr. Kunda said General Tembo was an honest person who contributed greatly to the development of the Zambian defence fraternity.
The Vice President further described the passing on of General Tembo as a sad development to Zambia saying that the nation has been robbed of a great warrior who played a paramount role in the development of the country particularly in the defence sector.
And Chifumu Banda, who represented the family of the late General Tembo, thanked government for role it had taken in supporting the late former Vice President during his tenure in government, sickness and after his death.
The former Vice President was given a 19 gun shot by a combined team of defence forces from the Zambia Army and the Zambia Air Force (ZAF) respectively.
Ruling MMD in Lusaka has described the late former republican Vice President, Christone Tembo as a true son of Zambia that contributed to the growth of democracy in the country.
MMD Lusaka Province spokesperson Henry Mutiti said the late Lieutenant General Tembo was a humble and a true patriot that fought for many under privileged Zambians during his service as Tourism and Natural resources Minister and vice president in the Chiluba administration.
He said the late General Tembo was a man of few words that helped in introducing young people into politics.
He said more young people were now getting into politics at an early age because of the influence General Tembo had when he was Vice President.
And Forum for Leadership Search Executive Director Edwin Lifwekelo described the late General Tembo as a selfless leader who contributed to the development of Zambia.
Mr. Lifwekelo said the late General Tembo will be remembered for the time he was imprisoned during the reign of Dr. Kaunda.
He said the late Tembo was a good example to young people who have political ambitions.
Former Zambia National Commercial Bank Managing Director Samuel Musonda described the late General Tembo as a gallant man that aimed at seeing the growth of democracy in Zambia.
Mr. Musonda said the late General Tembo will be remembered for the good public service he rendered to this nation.
He said General Tembo was a corrupt free person as he was never cited for any corrupt activity during the time he saved as Vice President in the Chiluba administration.
ZANIS/TK/MKM/ENDS
ubufi praising someone when he is dead
Mulute makora akulu. tizam’kukumana kuchanya para madazi yalamala nase.
Enya , mwayowogha vanadi. Tisopenge waka Chiuta kuti wati nozgere malo yaweme.
Eeee bana bakwithu. ngwalusungu, Chiuta ngwakutemwa. Waku lekerera baana bake yayi. Kusopa pera ndicho chikuru madazi ghose.
yangu tata ichi mwana ububi!
ukupunama, nipi wabwenepo akanya akabi?
Rest in peace true son of zambia.
Sleep well Gen Tembo.My condolences to your beloved family who are left behind.
All these nice things being said about him should have been said to him before he died. MHSRIP.
True man !!!!, there is actually a saying that don`t send roses when am dead send them now when am breathing and kicking . We hold memories of Gen who fought battles as a loner. Rest in peace we shall join you when our time is up.
Oh kanti niwa bubeli? Bakai bo Nine chale ni Jam@co?
i think for one to be praised has to die. all these praises. mamamama we
check ZAMBIAN COMEDY-BAKALILA youtube. someone just sent me this..
Rest in peace General.
“Behold thou hast made my days as an handbreath and mine age is as nothing before thee.” May the bereaved find comfort in The Lord.
Umwana ububi iwe. mufumye pa internet antinya mwe.Chinyau?
beauty is in the eyes of the beholder. inga abobe abana balikwi. mwandi Chale, i just love you baby!
Iwe Kalu nalikwishiba. Wakwata infeshi ngolusele, talale fye weng’umba iwe.
Rest In Peace fierce fighter. You taught many of us to fear not death but only defeat,
May your soul rest in peace general Tembo. And God comfort the Tembo family during these tough times.
MHSRIP
May your soul Sir rest in Gods Eternal peace
Rest in peace GENERAL.
Rest in peace.
Death is a challenge. It tells us not to waste time… It tells us to tell each other right now that we love each other.When the body sinks into death, the essence of man is revealed. Man is a knot, a web, a mesh into which relationships are tied. Only those relationships matter. The body is an old crock that nobody will miss.
Well said …Deep but true!!
Sorry to say this, I never thought Mwanawasa can be praise the way they did when he passed on. Another one who will be praised like this is Mr. king Cobra Sata! Please praise him now when he is still alive.
General, may you rest in peace.
“Do not send roses when am dead send them now “. Well, indeed president Sata has made history with regard to his role as an opposition leader. In a young nurtured democracy like ours we need the likes of president Sata to stay in opposition ……..
LPM’s death was not a praise-it was just a zed celebrity funeral. we had never had a presido died and worse died abroad.
correction: never witnessed a prez’s funeral
rest in peace general. i wish u could listen how pipo ar praising u. yet some never praised u when u were alive. rest in peace
Good Be With You Till we meet again Sir. LT GEN TEMBO
God Be With You Till we meet again Sir. LT GEN TEMBO
May your soul rest in peace Sifapi till we meet again. Condolences to the Tembo family on the passing of Chris.
RIP GENERAL.
Vey sad indeed. MSRP
May he rest in peace.
Roses on the grave; any Jehova witnesses on the blog please. MHSRIP. memoirs of a carear sodier
where was ba Sata
Ba Sata was also there. I dont know why they didnt show him I read in the papars tode. anyway, cabipa bafwa death is the saddest but we cant avoid it.
Fair well
The passing of the General is really sad. Nelly and the family, may the good Lord God Almighty give you strength, caurage and all the blessings.
MHSRIP
The former Vice President was given a 19 gun shot by a combined team of defence forces from the Zambia Army and the Zambia Air Force (ZAF) respectively.
did they shoot him or what?