By CHUSA SICHONE, MOFFAT CHAZINGWA and JULIUS PHIRI  –

MWATA Kazembe XIX of the Lunda people has joined the rest of the country in mourning President Michael Sata who died in London on October 28, 2014.
In his message of condolences through a statement made available by his spokesperson Criticles Mwansa in Lusaka yesterday, the Mwata urged the Government and Patriotic Front (PF) to continue supporting President Sata’s ideals.
“His Royal Highness, the Mwata Kazembe XIX, the Lunda Royal Establishment and the entire Lunda Kingdom, join the First Lady, Dr Christine Kaseba, the First Family, the entire Zambian nation and the Patriotic Front party in mourning our late President, His Excellency President Michael Chilufya Sata.
“To the people in Government and the PF, His Royal Highness, wishes that they remain resolved and rally behind the desires and wishes of our late President and not preoccupy themselves with positions,” the statement read in part.
The Mwata also echoed calls on the nation to remain calm, peaceful and united during the period of mourning and grief so as to give President Sata a meaningful and dignified funeral and eventual burial on November 11, 2014.
The traditional leader also wished acting President Guy Scott God’s wisdom, guidance and blessings as he led the country through the transition period before another Head of State was elected.
“Mwata further desires that the leadership that comes will continue the programmes that the late President started as a way of appreciating his dedication to the nation while he lived.
“God will provide the Spirit of Heaven to be with the First Family and the entire nation during this trying period,” the statement added.
United Church of Zambia (UCZ) St Margaret’s Reverend-in-charge Chipasha Musaba has said the death of President Sata is a big blow to the nation because of his commitment to serve the interest of the poor.
Reverand Musaba said during his life, President Sata devoted himself to uplifting the living standards of the people particularly the vulnerable in society.
He said this in Kitwe during an inter-denominational service for the late President Sata held at St Margaret’s church on Wednesday.
“We saw that when President Sata assumed the presidency of the country, he raised hope among the people who looked up to him for a better nation,” Rev Musaba said.
He called on Zambians to thank God for the life of President Sata who had sacrificed his life in order to serve the people.
Kitwe District Commissioner Elias Kamanga said President Sata would be remembered by many because he was a man with a heart for the poor.
Mr Kamanga said President Sata’s good personality that saw him embrace everyone in society should serve as a unifying factor among Zambians.
Meanwhile, hundreds of christians on wednesday afternoon thronged St Annes Catholic Cathedral for an inter-denominational service in honour of President Michael Sata.
Muslims and Christians converged for prayers in memory of late President Sata.
Chipata Catholic Diocese Pastoral coordinator Wilfred Bwezani said despite President Sata being a Catholic, he worked for the good of humanity in the country.
He explained that President Sata worked for everyone regardless of political or religious allegiance.
In his homily, Anglican Diocese of Eastern Zambia Bishop William Mchombo uged people to put their trust in God and Jesus Christ during the trying moment.
He called for peace, unity and reconcilliation during the mourning period.
He said President Sata would only rest in peace if Zambians stopped bickering and focused on the fight against corruption which the fallen head of State had embarked on.