RB put to rest

Former fourth republican president Rupiah Bwezani Banda has been put to rest at the presidential burial site in Lusaka following seven days of national mourning.

Invited Zambians from all walks of life trouped to the embassy park to witness the restricted burial ceremony which was preceded by a church service at the cathedral of the holy cross.

President Hakainde Hichilema and his predecessor president Edgar Lungu were part of the mourners who joined Mr. Banda’s widow Thandiwe and the Banda family at the burial site.

And the fourth president’s family has expressed gratitude to the Zambian people for according him a befitting funeral and burial ceremony.

Family representative Dolika Banda said this in a vote of thanks.

Ms. Banda says the nation has lost a man who truly cared for others and was known for his gestures of generosity.

president Banda succumbed to colon cancer at the age of 85.

Meanwhile, some Zambians spoken to have described the late former president as a saviour who made their lives bearable when he served as president between 2008 and 2011.

Others say Mr. Banda will fondly be missed for being welcoming and identifying himself with the common person during his tenure as president.