When my first cousin from Barastone Park, Mr Alfred Mushipi, called me to break the sad news of the demise of the former Vice President Mr Augustine Katoloshi Lupando Mwape ,i got disturbed in my mind.

Mr Mushipi, is actually married to Mr Mwape ‘s first cousin Mrs Stella Mwaba Mushipi.

In the true description of the deceased according to veteran politician Hon Vernon Mwaanga, that the late was humble, decent, soft spoken, full of integrity, and deeply religious, I totally agree with V J.

This is the man I have known and walked with from his hey days as Member of Parliament, Minister, and eventually Vice President of the Republic of Zambia.

A generous and soft hearted person,he was.
President Levy Mwanawasa, s second and final term victory is incomplete without mentioning Mr Lupando Mwape.

It was actually, Mwape, who went round the nation to convince Zambians to vote for Mwanawasa.

Using his political tactics, humility and Mwanawasa, good standing that time, victory came to the MMD.

Mwanawasa, had some health problems, hence the task of campaigns was assigned to Mwape, and few others to execute.

Prior to the 2015 ,and 2016 ,Presidential elections ,Mwape, actually drove from the Copperbelt, just to inform me that he was joining forces with the UPND, and President Hakainde Hichilema.

We met several times at Cresta Golf View Hotel and at the Mulungushi Village, looking at the option UPND, until it was sealed.

On the 10/09/16,my late young sister’s son Mazubayanandi Lungu, an accountant, decided to marry Ms Florence Nachilima, a banker with Investrust Bank in Lusaka.

I quickly requested Mr Mwape, to be the guest of honor, which he agreed and surely graced the occasion at the Mulungushi Service Club in Chamba Valley,in Lusaka.

I was truly humbled,and greatful as the man drove all the way from Luanshya, and arrived on time in the company of his security for the said wedding ceremony.

He shared with me a number of things just like I equally did.

What shocked me was his zeal in trying to serve humanity through his NGO, and his plans to build community schools across the nation if funds where sourced.

I was equally amazed at the respect the Chinese government had for him, having served in China, as Ambassador.

My walk with Mr Mwape, is like that of Moses and Joshua, or Elijah and Elisha, in the Bible.

Last year in April, I wholeheartedly shared with him my intentions to work with Dr Nevers Mumba, and the MMD.
He responded in the affirmative and wished me all the blessings.

Each time he visited Lusaka, surly we would meet at various places and discuss a cross range of things. Political, economical and social,among several other issues.

In August , 2018,in the company of my elder brother Mr Emmanuel Mukuka, we visited our first cousin in Barastone Park, and that’s where it was discovered that our cousin was actually married to Mr Mwape ‘s first cousin, Stella.

It was discovered miraculously, as when my brother and I arrived, we found the couple talking about him.

Quietly I called him and gave my phone to his cousin, Stella. He laughed and said indeed blood is thicker than water.

The past 3 weeks my messages received no response from the former Vice President, Mr Augustine Katoloshi Lupando Mwape.

I could not visit him in hospital, when I was planning to, he was evacuated to South Africa, for treatment.
The move by government to do so was timely and heartily.

Elisha, said, where is the Lord, the God of Elijah?
I won’t ask a similar question but would instead say that, Zambia has lost an upright, decent, God fearing, focused, generous,soft hearted and corrupt free man in Lupando Mwape.

Hamba kahle. Farewell, and Rest In Eternal Peace.

Dr Cephas Mukuka
Political Researcher.