Monday, September 12, 2011

President Banda leaves for northern, eastern provinces

LUSAKA, September 12, 2011– Republican President Rupiah Banda will tomorrow leave for a two--day tour of the Northern and Eastern provinces where he is scheduled to address public rallies ahead of next week’s tripartite elections.

The President will address meetings in Chinsali District of the Northern Province before proceeding to Lundazi District in the Eastern Province.

From Lundazi, President Banda will address rallies in Petauke District and end the Eastern Province tour with public meetings in Nyimba District.

While in Nyimba, the Head of State will also officially open the Indo-Zambia Bank branch in the district.

The President will be accompanied by senior Government officials and members of his campaign team. He is expected to return to Lusaka after concluding the scheduled business.

This is according a statement from the public relations unit at state house.

President Banda mourns death of linda makelele

LUSAKA, Sunday September 11, 2011– Republican President, Rupiah Banda has described the late freedom fighter, Linda Makelele as an exemplary leader who offered selfless service to his country.

In a letter of condolences addressed to former ambassador Mr Matiya Ngalande who is nephew of the deceased, copied to MMD North-Western Province Chairman Mr Pinakin Patel, the President said he was heartbroken to learn of the death of Mr Makelele.

“It was especially difficult for me to learn of such a great loss that has been suffered by both your family and the MMD of which he was a founding member and later party researcher,” the President said.

He noted that the late Mr Makelele was a noted freedom fighter whose involvement in the struggle led to expulsion from school by the colonial rulers. He was later to become the first provincial information officer for North-Western Province in the UNIP government.

“I am deeply moved to see that the deceased has left us shortly before the 2011 elections, a democratic pillar that he fought so hard to achieve for his country. His exemplary record is a powerful lesson to upcoming generations about the meaning of selfless service. Without people like Mr Makelele, the independence struggle and the development of our nation would have been far more difficult to realize.”

The President added: “I wish to put on record my highest esteem and deepest sympathies towards the entire family. My prayer is that God will Himself visit and comfort the family and look after the surviving children.”

This is according to a state house public relations unit.