Funeral and Burial of late President Mwanawasa

Today, 3 September 2008, has been declared a public holiday. All businesses and schools are closed. Everything has come to a standstill in the country of Zambia as the president, Levy Mwanawasa, was buried today. People in various parts of the country abandoned their usual activities and stayed indoors to watch the funeral procession which was televised in national television. Those who don't have TV were given the opportunity to watch the funeral at several community halls across the country. There were 4 giant TV screens set up in Lusaka.

As we watched the funeral on our TV, we could also hear the 21-gun salute and see the 5 jets that flew formation right over our house. It has definitely been a quiet day outside, as there are not many cars going up and down the roads or people going here and there. The president's body was lowered into the ground in a copper-plated coffin - Zambia is Africa's biggest copper producer.

At least 12 Heads of State and Government and several other foreign dignitaries arrived in Lusaka for the funeral and burial, which was by invitation only. Zimbabwe's Robert Mugabe was one of the African leaders present, even though Mwanawasa had criticised him. The mourners were led by the First Lady, Maureen Mwanawasa, and their six children. He was buried at Embassy Park, near the presidential offices, after a service at a church in the grounds of parliament. In his prayer, Parish priest Father Edward Mutale, said President Mwanawasa will be remembered for promoting reconciliation, forgiveness and maintaining peace and unity in Zambia.