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Tribute To Dr. Levy Patrick Mwanawasa SC
“A Tribute to LEVY”
Written By Peter Madoda Bungane
Citations from: Wikipedia
Post Newspapers
Times of Zambia
Zambia Daily Mail
Early life and legal career
Mwanawasa
Late president Dr. Levy Patrick Mwanawasa was born in Mufulira, as the second of 10 children. He held a law degree from the University of Zambia. He worked in private law firms from 1974 until 1978 when he formed his own firm Mwanawasa & Company. In 1985 Mwanawasa served as Solicitor General in the Zambian government but he went back to private practice in 1986.
In 1989, he led the legal defense team for Lt. Gen Christon Tembo, who was accused by the Kenneth Kaunda government of conspiracy to overthrow the government, which was judged as an act of treason worthy of the death penalty; Tembo won the case against the state, and Mwanawasa’s fame among the anti-Kaunda opposition grew. After Dr. Frederick Chiluba was elected as President, he appointed Mwanawasa as Vice-President in December 1991. Mwanawasa left his firm in March 1992.
POLITICAL CAREER
Doctor Mwanawasa served as Vice-President until he resigned in 1994, citing gross abuse of office and corruption by some leaders and insubordination to him by some colleagues. In 1996 he unsuccessfully contested Dr. Chiluba for the presidency of the Movement for Multiparty Democracy. After the loss, Mwanawasa retired from politics until the 2001 election.
In August 2000, the National Executive Committee of MMD elected Mwanawasa as its presidential candidate for the 2001 election. He won the election, held on 27th December 2001, beating 10 other candidates including two other former vice presidents (Godfrey Miyanda and Gen. Christon Tembo). Anderson Mazoka came in a close second with 27%, according to official results. Mwanawasa took office on 2nd January 2002. However, the results of the elections He was elected as President of the MMD for a five-year term in 2005.
Mwanawasa ran for a second term in the presidential election held on 28 September 2006. His re-election was confirmed on 2nd October 2006. He was sworn in for another term on 3rd October 2006. A few days later, he named a new cabinet and appointed Rupiah Banda as Vice-President. Rupiah Banda is the former Head of State of Zambia, he won an October 30th 2008 presidential by-election.
SIGNIFICANT ACHIEVEMENTS
MINES AND FOREIGN DIRECT INVESTMENT (F.D.I.)
The Konkola Copper Mines, Luanshya Copper Mines, Kansanshi Copper Gold Mines, Mumbwa, Mines exploration in Luapula, Eastern and Western provinces as well Lumwana Mine as some of the foreign direct investments and jobs created from those investments are credited to late president Mwanawasa. In the Zambia Daily Mail Vol. 11 No.71 the headline read “Copper Boom Expected” I quote; Zambia will in the next three years get back to high level production the country enjoyed in the 1970s, president Mwanawasa said. Here Mwanawasa accurately predicted the high copper prices we are now experiencing, and sited major developments such as Kansanshi, Lumwana, the Katima Mulilo Bridge, the Chembe (Levy Mwanawasa Bridge) among others. Most of the foreign direct investment Zambia is enjoying today was secured by the late president as he inspired confidence in the World Bank, International Monetary Fund, the European Union, the United States (where he received his honorary doctorate), the Canadians, the Chinese and Indian investments, regional and local investors shared in his vision to develop Zambia.
CEEC/ YEF- Citizens Economic Empowerment Fund/Youth Empowerment Fund
The late president considered to support Youth Empowerment Fund under the auspices of the Citizens Economic Empowerment Commission are the caring and undying love that president Mwanawasa had for the youth of Zambia, he begun a deliberate nation wide large scale drive to empower the prime citizenry the youth who form 68% of the population. Though the CEEC has disbursed over K200billion to date, a lot more is needed to meet the challenges the Zambian youth faces today. Accessibility and eligibility remain hurdles in the empowerment process.
HIPC- Highly Indebted Poor Countries
Late president Mwanawasa led Zambia through the highly controversial but worthwhile HIPC (Highly Indebted Poor Countries) completion point and reduced Zambia’s debt from a swaggering $6.5billion to a $3.8billion almost halved, the controversy earned him criticism due the harsh economic plight of Zambians but eventually won him respect and confidence with the international co-operating partners, Zambia’s debt was cancelled and the future promised economic emancipation for all Zambians. The debt cancellation brought hopes as well as dreams of all Zambians into a clear and determined perspective, he was determined to make each one us, regardless of our ethnicity enjoy the fruit of Zambia, One Zambia One Nation.
Laura Bush with late Zambian President Levy Mwanawasa and then First Lady Maureen Mwanawasa
The National Constitution Conference was an unwanted body but it was offered as a cheaper alternative to the tax payer as opposed to a Constituent Assembly and had an original sitting of 87 members but due to various stake holders wanting participation it grew to over 400 delegates, it had a legal mandate by an act of parliament to draft a new constitution which would then be presented to parliament for enactment of the final new constitution, president Mwanawasa had the best of intentions for Mother Zambia. Many misjudged his intentions but were later quoted as having misunderstood Levy. The draft constitution was in the near future never passed in a 2nd reading in the National Assembly and a new constitution was not enacted before the 2011 Tri-parte polls.
CRUSADE ON CORRUPTION
Known in the SADC region for his bold and ambitious stand against corruption, president Mwanawasa detested any form of dishonesty, he did what he felt was the people’s wish in getting the truth, he did not use his powers to interfere in high profile cases and repeatedly asked for suspects accused to return themselves and alleged embezzlements of our wealth back to the treasury. He did not waver and respected the courts of law in Zambia; politicians loved and hated him but only a few of us really “loved Levy”. The Task Force on Corruption which spent several years investigating high profile cases was one that was donor supported and enjoyed the backing of the international community. President Mwanawasa believed in a transparent process and did not interfere in the work of the Task Force on Corruption; this was an example of restraint and humility from a Head of State.
THE RULE OF LAW
In his many deliveries, president Mwanawasa repeated said he would not and did not interfere in any political figure charged with any offence, he remained a true example of respect for the rule of law, and he devoted his stay at State House to the upliftment of all Zambians, by moving the country in the direction of an independent Judiciary. The Ministry of Justice’s capacity to handle legal matters was expanded, the Courts of Law were given face lifts and people began believing in the Justice system. Zambia had begun moving from a totalitarian Justice system to a people driven Justice System. It made us reconsider our priorities and aspirations.
DEATH OF A SON OF AFRICA
Mwanawasa was hospitalized at the Percy Military Hospital, near Paris. On 19th August 2008, a family member who wished to remain anonymous stated that Mwanawasa had died early that morning. The news of president Mwanawasa’s death was confirmed by then President Banda through a television broadcast on the government-owned Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation (ZNBC).He informed the nation that president Mwanawasa had died that morning at 10:30 Zambian time at the Percy Military Hospital in Paris.
The Patriotic Front’s Michael Sata, now Zambia’s Fifth Republican President, expressed sadness and said that president Mwanawasa’s death was a “national disaster”, urging Zambians to remain calm. A strike by doctors was also suspended, and sporting matches were cancelled. Former president Kenneth Kaunda paid tribute to Mwanawasa, saying that he was “a true servant of the people who served this country with dignity and honour. … He observed the rule of law and he gallantly fought graft in all its forms. … We have lost a great leader who had a real vision for leadership and problems that face the country.”
Late president Mwanawasa’s body arrived in Lusaka from France aboard a French military aircraft on 23rd August 2008. It was received with full military honours; former president Banda and former president Kaunda were present for the ceremony, which featured a 21-gun salute and jet fighter planes in the sky. It was then taken to all provincial capitals of Zambia, where members of the public had an opportunity to pay their respects. The body was accompanied by both the opposition and the ruling party leaders beside the first family during the tour.
The burial of Mwanawasa occurred on 3rd September 2008 at Embassy Park opposite the Zambian Cabinet Office. The funeral was attended by heads of 14 African states, including South Africa’s Mbeki, Zimbabwe’s Robert Mugabe, and Tanzania’s Jakaya Kikwete. In her eulogy at the funeral, Maureen Mwanawasa said of her husband: “Typical of you, you died on duty. You died a sad man as no one seemed to appreciate your sacrifices. Had you been with us today, I am sure these accolades could have made you happy.”
PERSONAL LIFE
Doctor Mwanawasa had two children from his first marriage, Patrick Mwanawasa Jr and Miriam he then married Maureen Mwanawasa on September 3rd, 1988 and had four children with her, Chipokota, Matolo, Lubona and Ntembe.Levy and Maureen remained married until his death. In March 2005, Mwanawasa was baptised by Southern Baptist missionaries. In September 2007, Mwanawasa traveled to Arkansas in the United States to give a speech at Harding University in Searcy and received an honorary doctorate from the college. While in Arkansas, he addressed students and press at the University Of Arkansas Clinton School Of Public Service about social, economic, and political development in Zambia and the region with specific attention paid to HIV/AIDS in Africa and President Mugabe of Zimbabwe.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
I wish to thank all Zambians and pray that my tribute reminds us of what a selfless leader the late Dr Levy Patrick Mwanawasa SC was, M.H.S.R.I.P. To the Mwanawasa family may God Almighty bless and continue watching over you. Your personal loss has been felt by us all.
Peter Madoda Bungane Esq.
Posted by Editor
on August 19, 2012. Filed under LATEST NEWS.
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True Worshiper
August 19, 2012 at 7:02 am
May his Soul rest in Peace. Hes was a very big achiever for Zambia.
Bana Ndo
August 19, 2012 at 7:11 am
Too long! MHSRIP
oxmos
August 19, 2012 at 7:33 am
M.H.S.R.I.P ,he is the best president zambia has ever had so far
George Mwenda Kangongwe
August 19, 2012 at 7:41 am
We were robbed of a great leader, zambia will never have a leader of Dr Mwanawasa’s caliber. May His Soul Rest In Eternal Peace of Our Almight GodM
monk
August 19, 2012 at 7:52 am
The president in the history of Zambia a product of our highest learning institution UNZA
TINALALA
August 19, 2012 at 8:23 am
INDEED HE WAS A TRUE SON OF THE LAND
MAY HIS SOUL REST IN ETERNAL PEACE.
TILL WE MEET AGAIN
west
August 19, 2012 at 8:47 am
@@[0:[0:1:the best eva presdnt zambia had, wat a great loss]]MHSRIP
Mandy
August 19, 2012 at 9:28 am
This brings tears to my eyes all over again. We miss you our president LPM. You made us proud to be Zambian, you embrassed all. There has never been any selfless leader in our country like you.Today our country is torn apart by tribal hatred, economic failure etc. You’d have been shocked to see the Zambia you left behind.
Arthur.
August 19, 2012 at 9:47 am
He was a true Leader Zambia eva had.Some times Im made to wonder why such great people depart so soon.I miss him all the time. MHSRIP.
Arthur.
August 19, 2012 at 9:56 am
If collectively we started looking at life the Levy did,we would by far be a better Zambia.He is still my inspiration. MHSRIP.
taliban
August 19, 2012 at 10:16 am
what a CV not the current one..eish..
pamjay
August 19, 2012 at 10:21 am
Indeed u died as a fighter. Zambia z wat it z bcoz of u.never had tym 2 thk u, bt we appreciate u. M.Y.S.R.I.P
the 3ye
August 19, 2012 at 10:48 am
I have always said that Levy was the best prez we’ve had to date
Zamule Tata
August 19, 2012 at 11:09 am
May the almighty God in His infinity power raise us another leader of Levy’s calibre.He will surely give us another Levy, just pray devotedly.
Baambile banyumfwe
August 19, 2012 at 11:38 am
Levy was indeed a great man for this nation, we lost aman who respected every human being regardless of tribe, religion. MHSRIP
James
August 19, 2012 at 12:37 pm
Mwanawasa was a visionare leader whom if he had to peacefully finished his second term, Zambia would have been better today. Nevertheless praise God he has given us a different Mwanawasa in the name of Michael Chilufya Sata. Long live Mr Sata and stay blessed.
shanjina
August 19, 2012 at 12:43 pm
May the Tonga bull rest in peace.
@ Ndo God will really giv us one like Levy
shanjina
August 19, 2012 at 12:48 pm
May the Tonga bull rest in peace.
@ Zamule God will really giv us one like Levy
Habeenzu
August 19, 2012 at 12:53 pm
@James you’re right my my brother nowonder when Mwanawasa was about to die God had to remind him not to die without making peace with incoming Head of state. Remember few weeks before he died he called Mr Sata to state house for a reconciliation meeting. You see God had to annoint these leaders of ours way back before Rupiah banda’s Venon mwaanga’s 2008elections. May God continue to bless Zambia.
MAJOZA MAJOZA
August 19, 2012 at 1:33 pm
WE ARE HEADING FOR A DICTATORIAL REGIME.AT IS SHOCKING TO HEAR THE POLICE WITH IMPUNITY ADRESS HH AS ‘THIS GUY’.REGIMES COME AND REGIMES GO-DE SAME PEOPLE WHO ILL-TREATED SATA HAVE BECOME HIS STOOGES NOW. LETS EMBRACE THE IDEALS OF TRUE DEMOCRACY. THE SUDAN ISSUE IS NOW COMING OUT STRONGLY IN THE VOCABULARY OF THE PF GOVT BUT IN THE NAME OF SCHOLARSHIPS. IS IT NOT WAT HH WAS SAYING? WHICH WAY RAE WE TAKING AS A NATION? BULAWAYO-ZIMBABWE
poho
August 19, 2012 at 1:53 pm
Levy i ll miss you.your courage,will be missed by real people without evil dealings.M.H.S.R.I.P
Shadreck
August 19, 2012 at 2:49 pm
Among the few questions i could ask God if he came physically today could be on Mwanawasa. Why he allowed such a principled, selfless and peace loving leader die at a time we needed him most? MYSRIP
Levy fan # 1
August 19, 2012 at 4:59 pm
Compare the qualities and achievements to the current nonsense
Sir Victor Aliwatsons
August 19, 2012 at 5:05 pm
A man of his word he was for sure. May his soul rest in peace
kangwa kasonde
August 19, 2012 at 7:45 pm
Indeed, many people called you names when you were alive, but thank God, you proved them wrong. I’m glad I gave you my vote. Rest in peace my hero.
ulimbe
August 19, 2012 at 8:05 pm
you can not appreciat what you have now until you loose it.M.H.S.R.I.P.
macmillan mvula
August 19, 2012 at 8:09 pm
Rest in peace Dr L P Mwanawasa always miss you!
evans
August 19, 2012 at 9:01 pm
I always thank God for levy. What an inspiration he is to me! When ever I see his photos every changes. I want to do more for other people . My pain is that I never have him votes and the negative media against him was instrumental but willingly take the blame . I now take whatever I see and read on any media with with a critical mind. Levy I love you and miss you every day! Sorry never had to say thank you but we shall meet in heaven . I remember you with tears in My eyes. Great son of Africa, what a loss, ………….!
Kaesha
August 19, 2012 at 9:56 pm
Great man indeed. I still wonder how he died. MHSRIP
Mwanami
August 20, 2012 at 3:22 am
He was the second best, the best was KK and then him who united the Country and had the heart for its people, though KK later became selfish, but he still holds the first fighter I would say and after KK, Levy hold the high level in the way he held us all together than the way things are now full of division in the Country and low economy!
Alice Manunga
August 20, 2012 at 9:16 am
We really miss him. MHSRP
Mafukeni Mutondo
August 20, 2012 at 9:46 am
He was born in MUFULIRA. MHSRIEP
Poker_Face
August 20, 2012 at 10:44 am
Great man….Great leader. M.H.S.R.I.P.
Limande...Jr.
August 20, 2012 at 10:48 am
You ve been the best to me…Even when u re gone,Nipatali kufika paliiimwe…MHSRIEP.
Tasha
August 20, 2012 at 11:23 am
@James, your president can never be compared to LPM.Do us a favor, compare him to Mugabe.
mathews katebe
August 20, 2012 at 1:13 pm
@Tasha is right. Mwanawasa can not be compared to sata. The former had a vision for Zambia, unlike the latter who is visionless. No wonder the name CNP. Rest in peace great man.
mjs
August 20, 2012 at 2:00 pm
we’re stll rememberig u.
Minister Without Portfolio
August 20, 2012 at 3:32 pm
“Death is better than laughter, it may sadden your face, but it sharpens up you understanding. He who thinks about joy is fool! a wise person always thinks about death.” M.H.S.R.I.P
mouner
August 20, 2012 at 3:32 pm
HIS EXCELLENCE LEVY PATRICK MWANAWASA STATE COUNCIL. Yr name it was. we miss you. I only thank the nation for the heroic way in which we put you to rest. M.Y.S.R.I.E.P. Zambia would have been a better place had you had you lived on a little longer…
rashid
August 20, 2012 at 4:03 pm
just hoping sata leaves such a legacy as well and not the stupidity he is currently displaying…..
timothy
August 20, 2012 at 4:23 pm
he was indeed a great leader for Zambia Africa at large.
MWALE ENOS
August 20, 2012 at 7:17 pm
Indeed the best of the best. Miss you
James
August 20, 2012 at 10:41 pm
@tasha and Matthews katebe, he is your president aswell because you’re not wiser than the Zambian multitudes who voted for him. And he has been compared to the late Mwanawasa due to his language for the poor, mind you, we are praising Mwanawasa today that he tirelessly worked for this country, 4sure it due to the pressure he got from Sata when he was in opposition. Also believe me that Sata is most likely to undeperform because he doesn’t have strong and sensible opposition.
Never see Mumba, HH and Milupi can’t provide checks and balances.
jMuti
August 21, 2012 at 11:39 am
He was a man of principles, very firm, but caring and loving. He never worked to please a few individuals but the poor masses. The types of Levy are very rare. Levy you gave hope and became an inspiration to some of us who come from the so-called minor tribes; that we can also rise to the highest position in the country and perform better that those who fight for supremacy without adding any value to the lives of the masses. We will always remember you till we meet again. RIP
wasema
August 21, 2012 at 12:57 pm
And we shall make sure your legasy stays for ever president mwanawasa.maureen you analysed your husbands legasy very well.brilliant woman. If I had a political party i would take you on with a very senior position.Remain strong ba mayo.Banono
african.m
August 22, 2012 at 1:14 pm
We will always love you,you were a true great leader.
Aka
August 22, 2012 at 10:01 pm
thanx 4 levy stadium and levy juction.may yo soul rest in peace