Lungu’s humility made him acceptable by people – M’membe

…His Wish Was To Have A United Opposition And A United Zambia

At this moment, the deepest of my thoughts, sympathy, and condolences are with Mrs Esther Lungu, the family and friends of His Excellency, Mr Edgar Chagwa Lungu.

I also extend my sympathy and condolences to the leadership and members of the Patriotic Front, and to all those who loved and cherished Mr Lungu.

Today, I recline in deep silence, reflection, and sorrow as I join Mrs Lungu and family, friends, and the wider political family of Mr Lungu, and indeed, the whole nation in mourning the passing of Mr Lungu, the Sixth President of our country.

Mr Lungu was a brother and a friend whom I have known for the last 47 years. We always referred to each other as ‘Mwana’ – whatever that means or meant.

Even amidst very complicated political differences and fallouts, we remained guided by the reality that we were once very close brothers and very good friends, hence the desire to reconcile.

Despite his great political achievements, when we met, he still remained the same ‘Mwana’ – ‘not His Excellency’ to me. This simplicity and humility is a trait I greatly admire in him.

He never allowed ‘His Excellency’ to destroy who we were to each other and change the way we addressed each other or related to each other over the many years of knowing each other.

Mr Lungu was a leader who carried himself with humility. His down-to-earth attitude made him more acceptable to many of our people.

As a nation, I pray that as we mourn this immense loss, let us also honour Mr Lungu’s memory not only in words, but in the way we carry forward the aspirations of the masses of our people, a people he was privileged to lead.

Mr Lungu’s declared intention for coming out of political retirement was to unite the opposition. Let’s honour him by uniting our political and social struggles and ultimately our whole nation.

May God grant the Lungu family, the Patriotic Front, and the whole nation fortitude and strength during this period of great difficulty and pain.

May Mr Lungu’s Soul Rest in Eternal Peace!

Fred M’membe
President of the Socialist Party