ZAMBIA, 4. September 2008: African leaders have described President Levy Mwanawasa as a courageous Pan-Africanist who never feared to speak his mind in whatever circumstances, writes the Zambian newspaper Times of Zambia.
African Union (AU) chairperson, Jakaya Kikwete and Southern African Development Community (SADC) chairperson, Thabo Mbeki, described Dr Mwanawasa as a true African leader who spoke his mind.
The two African presidents were speaking at President Mwanawasa’s funeral service held at Parliament grounds Wednesday.
Mr Kikwete, who is the president of Tanzania, said Dr Mwanawasa was a visionary leader who was admired by other leaders in the region. – President Mwanawasa was not afraid to speak his mind no matter what, Mr Kikwete said.
He said Dr Mwanawasa was a champion of democracy who did a lot for the cause of Zambians and his death came as a shock to the rest of Africa.He assured Zambians that they were not alone in mourning their president because the whole continent had lost a leader and a true Pan-Africanist.
Dr Mwanawasa, he said, led Zambia with great determination, honesty and integrity and while Zambians would find it difficult to come to terms with the loss, they should look to God for guidance.
President Mbeki said Dr Mwanawasa’s death was an enormous loss not only to Zambia and SADC but the whole African continent.
Mr Mbeki said Africa had lost a person who had humility and honesty in his commitment for African development and that other leaders had come to mourn him in solidarity.
– He was a soldier who was committed to the development of the continent and his contribution to problems facing the SADC region and Africa will be missed, he said.
Mr Mbeki said President Mwanawasa was committed to economic and political integration in line with peace and stability in the region.
He said the SADC region would honour Dr Mwanawasa by continuing with his wishes that include infrastructure integration and by ensuring that the SADC trade protocol is signed this year.He challenged other leaders to emulate his fight for the benefit of their people.
