Requiem mass held for Sata in London

A requiem mass in honour of the late republican President Michael Sata has been held in London at the Church of Our Lady in St. Johns Wood in north-west London.

The funeral church service was presided over by Bishop Nicholas Hudson with the Concelebrant being Father Clement Mukuka the Zambian Chaplain.

Those in attendance at the church service included members of the former first family, Finance Minister Alexander Chikwanda, Foreign Affairs Minister Harry Kalaba, Gender Minister Inonge Wina and Zambians living in the UK.

During the requiem mass, Bible summons were read and tributes paid to the former head State.
Lusaka Mayor and the late President’s eldest son Mulenga Sata read one of the Bible summons.

And President Sata’s youngest son Gerald sang his father’s favorite worship song in paying tribute to him.

And Mr. Chikwanda who is leading a delegation of Ministers to London has described President Sata as a home hero for the Zambian people and beyond the country’s borders.

Mr Chikwanda says President Sata’s death is therefore very devastating.

And Foreign Affairs Minister Harry Kalaba has expressed government’s gratitude to the former first family and former first lady Dr. Christine Kaseba for the support they gave Mr. Sata in his execution of his duties on behalf of the Zambian government.

He says government is also grateful to Zambians living in the United Kingdom for tuning in up in numbers for the requiem mass for late President Sata.

Mr. Kalaba says government is also aware the death of Mr. Sata at the time that country was celebrating its Golden Jubilee is an affirmation of the need for entrenched peace that Zambia has continued to enjoy.

President Sata’s remains will later this evening embark on a long final journey back home, and will arrive in the country tomorrow morning at about 10:00 hours.