.SATA

By JOWIT SALUSEKI –

WHEN news of the death of Republican President Michael Chilufya Sata was announced, a dark cloud eclipsed the country with most Zambia’s expressing shock on his untimely demise.
President Sata, who has been at the helm of presidency since ascending to power on September 23, 2011 has been described by a cross section of society as a man who was development oriented.
President Sata 77, who was being treated in United Kingdom (UK), died in London’s King Edward VII hospital on Tuesday night.
In an interview in Lusaka, a cross section of Zambians eulogised President Sata.
Gerald Mwanza a minibus driver says President Sata was a man of action who has managed to bring development in areas such as the road sector, health, agriculture and education, among others.
“The president launched many projects among them the Link Zambia 8000 road project which has seen massive road projects employing many jobless youths. For instance in Lusaka South where I stay, the roads have been tarred, something that we have never seen in many years,’’ says Mr Mwanza.
Conrad Simaata, a resident of Kuku Township says President Sata was a pragmatic leader whose vision was to see that the country developed on a faster rate.
Musonda Chibwe says the late Head of State was a man who was passionate about the welfare of the poor, the voiceless and the down -trodden in society.
‘’In the few years has he has been in power, President Sata has built universities, roads and he was not selective in taking development to all parts of the country.
The three years that he has been in power, Mr Sata brought a lot of unprecedented development though sadly he has not achieved all the good things which he had planned to do for the poor Zambian,” says Ms Chibwe.
Kapesa Kalimina says the nation has lost a gallant man who had a vision to see that Zambians were weaned from the bondage of poverty.
“Mr Sata was a man of his words who had the heart for the people whose vision was to see that infrastructure development took centre stage. The president also championed the welfare of women, hence he appointed a lot of women to key positions of decisions making in his Government,’’ notes Mr Kalimina.
Mr Kalimina says President Sata is irreplaceable, stressing that he was a unique gem whose legacy will live forever in many people’s minds.
Perry Chanda, Kabwata Constituency PF youth vice chairperson was at loss for words as someone who motivated him to join politics had passed on.
“I was not interested in joining politics at all but President Sata motivated me with his tenacity and vigor of doing politics. We have seen Zambia change because of the projects that he initiated such as the link Zambia 8000 and universities,” says Mr Chanda.
Mr Chanda says residents of Lusaka’s Kabwata Township will remember President Sata for road works and the upgrading of the Chilenje clinic into a hospital.
“In Kabwata Constituency for the first time in the 50 years of Zambia’s independence, we are seeing dual carriage roads on Chilumbulu and Burma roads,” says Mr Chanda.
Sharon N’gona says President Sata was a humble man who interacted with people, a feat that enabled him to win the presidency in 2011.
For Mary Nakazwe, the late President was a man who was passionate about the welfare of the less privileged.
“Mr Sata allowed us poor vendors to continue selling second hand clothes on the street because he knew that this was the only way in which we make an income to support our families,” says Ms Nakazwe.