By DELPHINE ZULU –
Malawian President Peter Mutharika has eugolised First Republican President Kenneth Kaunda for the significant role played in the country’s liberation and that of other African countries.
President Mutharika said many African leaders can learn a lot from Dr Kaunda who has become an icon around the continent.
Professor Mutharika urged other leaders in Africa especially those that were holding on to power to emulate Dr Kaunda who had been a pillar in supporting all African presidents to be successful leaders.

. Mutharika

Prof Mutharika said this when he called on Dr Kaunda at his State Lodge residence in Lusaka yesterday.
“Let me commend you for being the first African leader to champion the fight against HIV/AIDS on the continent and promoting health related intervention programmes,” he said.
He said Dr Kaunda’s song ‘Tiyende Pamodzi’ was being played in most countries around Africa and was vital in promoting unity.
He said he was also overwhelmed by the massive infrastructure development taking place in Zambia and would emulate this in his country as he targeted to attain Malawi’s status as a middle income country by 2020.
Dr Kaunda described Prof Mutharika as a humble leader and urged him to embrace God as he rendered service to the people of Malawi.
“Let us now sing the Tiyende Pamodzi song, it is a unifying song which must be sang all the time to remind us of peace and unity in the region,” Dr Kaunda said.
President Mutharika had earlier in the day visited the mausoleum for the late presidents, Michael Sata, Levy Mwanawasa and Frederick Chiluba, where he laid wreaths in the company of his wife Gertrude.
He was received by Justice Minister Ngosa Simbyakula and Foreign Affairs Permanent Secretary Chalwe Lombe.
Prof Mutharika later signed in the visitor’s book at Embassy Park where he described the late presidents as great men who fought tirelessly for the people of Zambia.
National Heritage Conservation Commission, Regional Director, Kagosi Mwamulowe took time to explain to Prof Mutharika the meaning of all the features on the grave and Mausoleum.
On Mr Sata, he said the three concrete steps represented the three years that he had served as Republican President while late President Mwanawasa’s mausoleum which had a shape of a boot representing the fight against corruption.
He explained that the shape of a chapel on late Dr Chiluba was an indication of his commitment to shaping Zambia as a Christian nation.
Prof Mutharika was in the country for a two-day State visit which included him officiating at this year’s Agriculture and Commercial Show in Lusaka.