• Paramount Chief Mpezeni (right) when he visited First Lady Dr Christine Kaseba (left) at State House yesterday. (see story on page two) Picture by THOMAS NSAMA

By DELPHINE ZULU,
CHARITY MOONGA,
and SYLVIA MWEETWA-
PARAMOUNT Chief Mpezeni of the Ngoni people of Eastern Province has described the death of President Michael Sata as depressing.
Chief Mpezeni said he was devastated when he was officially told that his closest friend had died in London on October 28 this year.
He said he now feels empty that a man who had a forgiving, loving, hardworking and a peaceful heart had died without seeing his vision for the country completed.
The traditional leader was speaking yesterday when he joined First Lady Christine Kaseba at State House in the company of other chiefs, Mazimawe and Nzamane in mourning the late head of State.
Chief Mpezeni who delivered his condolences message through Foreign Affairs Permanent Secretary George Zulu said he was, however, consoled that Dr Kaseba was mourning the late President in a Christian manner.
Dr Kaseba said she felt comforted when she saw the Paramount Chief in person at State House following rumours of his death which she received after the demise of President Sata.
“News reached me whilst in London that you had passed on, this left me wondering why both of you great men have been lost. To see you here alive today makes me stronger, let’s all be united,” she said.
Meanwhile, Transport, Works, Supply and Communications Minister Yamfwa Mukanga says Government will ensure the completion of the Link Zambia 8000 road project and create toll gates to fight poverty and improve the lives of Zambians.
Speaking on ZNBC’s ‘Zambia Mourns’ programme, Mr Mukanga said the late President Michael Sata wanted to improve the lives of Zambians through among other things, infrastructure development.
Mr Mukanga, who is Patriotic Front (PF) chairman for industry, said the PF should remain united and execute the dream of the late President for a better Zambia, which would see the creation of more than 10,000 more jobs.
Government should also not give up the late President’s vision of a national airline but move together and ensure change in the lives of the Zambian people.
On communication, he said currently Government was setting up 250 communication towers to improve communication and also improve the lives of the people.
On road contractors, Government was currently working on a policy that would assist locals obtain at least 50 per cent of road contract jobs.
Zambia was currently doing well in terms of linkages with other countries through the Nacala and Lobito corridors, among others which had cheapened the cost of doing business in the country.
As PF transitions to new leadership, there was need for members to pray for selfless, transparent leadership.
Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport acting president Phidelia Mwaba said the death of Mr Sata had left an impact on the lives of the members of her organisation, especially the women.
She said most women had been empowered throughout the country through President Sata’s policies.
Zambian Road Safety Trust (ZRST) chairperson, Daniel Mwamba has described President Sata as a champion of road safety.
Mr Mwamba, who led ZRST Board members, staff and volunteers in paying their last respects at Mulungushi Conference Centre yesterday, said the late President played a major role in launching the trust.
He said by directing the Transport, Works, Supply and Communications, Minister Yamfwa Mukanga, to spearhead the launch on April 26, this year, he left an indelible mark on the organisation.
“The late President, upon learning about the Trust played a major role behind the scenes, he was personally involved in launching the Trust as he understood its vision and realised that the Zambian Government alone could not manage to reduce the current road trauma,” he said.
Mr Mwamba said President Sata knew that road safety was a shared responsibility and all concerned sectors needed to work together to ensure safety and minimise accidents.
He said in the past six months after the Trust’s launch, it grew in numbers to more than a 1,000 volunteers in Lusaka, Copperbelt and recently Northern Province and had trained 500 volunteers in Road Traffic Management and another 50 with skills to help police regulate traffic.
Kabwe Catholic Diocese Bishop Clement Mulenga has challenged politicians vying to rule the country following the death of President Michael Sata to uphold peace.
Bishop Mulenga in his tribute said politicians should remain focused and continue to contribute to the country’s development and warned  against dividing the people.
The clergyman was speaking yesterday at Godfrey Chitalu Grounds during a memorial mass for  ate President Sata.
It was important that leaders seeking higher office should put the interests of the nation first.