Hakainde Hichilema (L) defeated Edgar Lungu (R) in the 2021 presidential election – the third time they had faced each other at the polls [Image: EPA/AFP]
As Zambia navigates one of the most delicate and painful chapters in its modern history, I am compelled to speak not merely as a citizen, but as a patriot who loves this land and who believes deeply in the moral and spiritual fibre that binds us together The passing of our former Head of State, His Excellency Dr Edgar Chagwa Lungu, has struck the heart of our nation It has forced us to confront not only our grief, but also our values, our governance, and our collective identity as Zambians
The initial handling of this tragedy by government authorities, ranging from the restrictions placed on the former president’s travel to South Africa for urgent medical review, to the disorganised response that followed his death, has rightly drawn criticism These were not small administrative oversights; they were significant failures in responsibility and protocol Yet, even as we acknowledge those failures, we must not allow them to lead us down a path of disunity, vengeance, and disrespect There is one matter that rises above the political and procedural missteps: the deeply troubling possibility that Dr
Lungu might be laid to rest in a foreign country Such a scenario, if allowed to unfold, would dishonour his legacy, inflict permanent harm on our national conscience, and set a dangerous precedent for how we treat our leaders, those who have held the highest office in the land President Lungu was not just a politician; he was a father, a husband, a servant of the Zambian people, and whether one agreed with his politics or not, a symbol of our nation’s democratic journey In life, we may argue over leadership
In death, however, we must find common ground in our shared humanity That is why I call upon all Zambians to unite in ensuring that our late President is brought back home and buried in the soil of the country he led To do otherwise would be to erode the dignity of the office he once held, and to fail as a nation in offering a final gesture of honour At the centre of this unfolding crisis is a grieving family
Their anguish is deep, and their sense of betrayal is real This is not the time to politicise their grief or cast aspersions on their decisions Instead, we must approach them with compassion, humility, and a genuine desire to reconcile I extend my sincerest condolences to the Lungu family, and I call upon the Zambian government to meet them with honesty and care, not calculated diplomacy
Whatever undertakings are made to the family must be fulfilled in spirit and substance This is not just about logistics; it is about restoring trust and preserving national dignity In recent days, I have had the honour of working alongside His Excellency Dr Bakili Muluzi, the former President of Malawi, and other distinguished former SADC Heads of State
Together, we have sought to offer counsel and guidance during this time of crisis Throughout this process, I have held one principle firmly: that Dr Lungu must not be buried outside Zambia Doing so would violate our traditions, compromise our sovereignty, and fracture our collective sense of identity as Zambians
Legally, there may be no explicit provision that empowers a foreign court to determine the final resting place of a Zambian Head of State However, the legal intervention facilitated by Attorney General Mulilo Kabesha has served a vital purpose It bought us time, time to think, time to cool the fires of conflict, and time to remember who we are That pause was needed
But now, the moment has come to act with wisdom and courage I respectfully urge His Excellency Mr Hakainde Hichilema, our President and the Father of the Nation, to personally meet with the Lungu family here in South Africa This is not a task for delegated officials or political intermediaries
It is a moment that requires presence, humility, and fatherhood Mr President, you have a unique opportunity to heal this wound and demonstrate to the nation that you lead not with partisanship, but with heart I also call on you to engage directly with His Excellency President Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa, to ensure that this process reaches a dignified and peaceful conclusion
We are, above all, a Christian nation This identity cannot remain a slogan It must be lived out in action, especially in times like this It is in moments of deep sorrow that our commitment to Christian values is truly tested
Let us meet this test with grace, not with rhetoric Let us offer forgiveness, compassion, and unity, not division, finger pointing, or grandstanding.
Source: Iharare
