FOOT-stomping, tear-filled eyes, isolated odes and a myriad dirges characterised the burial ceremony of the former vice president of Zambia George Kunda in Lusaka yesterday. A sombre requiem mass, presided over by Merdado Cardinal Mazombwe, was later held at the Cathedral of the Child Jesus in Longacres. “We are all aware of the many good things he did for our country,” Cardinal Mazombwe said, adding that Mr Kunda was a great believer in Jesus. A casket draped in the national flag was brought to the church on a gun carriage and was met by a chorus of solemn songs by thousands of mourners from a cross-section of society, including political parties. Pall-bearers from the defence forces carried the casket as bells chimed to signify the arrival of the body. The church service took more than three hours. Mr Kunda was described as a man of hard work, a pillar and unifying factor in the family, who will be greatly missed. “Even at a time his health appeared to be failing him, Mr Kunda never slowed down his work rate and he continued his quest for accountable governance and the need to guard against the abuse of power,” President Sata said in his tribute. “We don’t mourn your death but we celebrate your life,” Howard, his oldest son, said in his tribute. George Kunda junior said his father stood for good things and defended them. At the cemetery, President Sata said the unity and love shown during the period of mourning Mr Kunda should “forever resonate and typify the spirit of our great country Zambia”. In a tribute read on his behalf by Vice-President Guy Scott, Mr Sata said Mr Kunda’s works and contribution to the country will live on and act as a source of inspiration to many. He called on society to give encouragement and solace to Mr Kunda’s widow, Irene, and the children as they go through a painful and difficult period without a husband and a father. Mr Sata also encouraged lawyers and political leaders to emulate Mr Kunda’s spirit of selflessness, hard work and integrity in public life. Mr Sata said Mr Kunda was a highly principled man who made a huge contribution to Zambia’s constitutional and law development process. The President said he declared three days of national mourning in recognition of Mr Kunda’s remarkable qualities and virtues. He said Mr Kunda steered and rendered outstanding service to the country in various capacities over a period of time adding that very few people expected a consummate lawyer to end up in politics. Mr Sata said Mr Kunda was passionate in the defence of a strong opposition which would ensure there were checks and balances, human dignity and equality before law. “He believed in diversity of humankind and spoke openly about the responsibility and duty of all citizens to contribute to the wellbeing of the community. He said Mr Kunda believed that there was no magic formula to achieving development and national success. “He set out very high personal standards of discipline and hard work, which included essential elements of integrity and self-sacrifice for the common good of society. It required a brave person like him to stand up and eloquently defend the things he believed in and cared for,” Mr Sata said. Earlier, Chief Justice Ernest Sakala described Mr Kunda as a prolific, hardworking and brilliant lawyer who has left an indelible print on the justice system, JIMMY CHIBUYE reports. Mr Justice Sakala said Mr Kunda was not only an exceptional lawyer but also a very hard working politician who contributed to both the legal fraternity and the country. He said this in Lusaka yesterday at the joint valedictory session of the Supreme Court and High Court in honour of Mr Kunda, who died on Monday. “He stood out as a landmark, beacon for the old as well as the new generation of lawyers. He served this nation selflessly and was a strong defender of the separation of powers, good governance and the rule of law. “Truly, the honourable Mr George Kunda, State Counsel and member of Parliament in his coolness of mind, was a paradigm of a good lawyer, good politician and a perfect specimen of humanity,” Mr Justice Sakala said. And Solicitor-General Musa Mwenye described Mr Kunda as a fearless opponent and courageous lawyer. Law Association of Zambia president James Banda said Mr Kunda was a dedicated member of the association who contributed immensely to the well-being of the organisation. Former Attorney-General Abyudi Shonga said Mr Kunda was an exemplary lawyer who spoke his mind and practised law with dignity.

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