• Government has designated 2nd July 2021 as the date for the State to accord Dr. Kaunda a Ceremonial State Funeral.
• Dr. Kaunda shall be put to rest at the Presidential Burial Site on 7th July, 2021.
• Provincial visits will commence in Choma on 23rd June, 2021 and end in Lusaka Province on July, 2021.
Vice President Inonge Wina has disclosed that late First Republican President Dr. Kenneth Kaunda will be put to rest on 7th July, 2021 at the Presidential Burial site in Lusaka.
Addressing the Media this morning, Mrs. Wina said the burial ceremony will be private and will only be attended by family members and few invited mourners.
She said government has since designated 2nd July, 2021 as the date for the State to accord Dr. Kaunda a ceremonial State Funeral which will be held at Heroes Stadium in Lusaka so as to allow participation of international dignitaries.
Mrs. Wina further stated that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will provide further details on administrative and logistical arrangements to the Diplomatic Corps at a Meeting scheduled for tomorrow.
“The Government of the Republic of Zambia has designated Friday, 2nd July 2021 as the date for the State to accord His Excellency Dr. Kaunda a Ceremonial State Funeral to allow for the participation of international dignitaries. This State Funeral will be held at Heroes Stadium here in Lusaka. Government will ensure the strictest adherence to COVID-19 Guidelines by firmly restricting participation to the State Funeral to Heads of State, to be accompanied by one Official.”
“His Excellency Dr. Kenneth David Kaunda shall be put to rest at the Presidential Burial Site on Wednesday 7th July, 2021 at a very private ceremony for family and selected invited mourners only. This will be broadcast live on television, radio, and social media to allow Zambians and the international community to follow the proceedings,” she emphasized.
Mrs. Wina said the ceremony will be short but befitting, to enable the visiting dignitaries that wish to bid farewell to their elder Statesman, arrive in time and depart immediately after the ceremony.
Meanwhile, Mrs. Wina revealed that the family of Late Dr. Kaunda has requested that his remains be taken to all the Provinces across the country and government has granted them their wish.
She said provincial visits will commence in Choma Southern province on Wednesday 23rd June, 2021 and end in Lusaka Province on Monday 5th July, 2021 and will include route lining where residents will pay their last respects in their respective areas as there will be no physical body viewing.
“It is the wish of the family of His Excellency Dr. Kaunda, that the remains of our Founding Father be taken around to all the 10 Provinces of our great country and the Government has agreed to respect this wish. The programme for the Provincial visits, will commence in Choma, Southern Province on Wednesday 23rd June, 2021 and end in Lusaka Province on Monday 5th July, 2021. The detailed programme for the Provincial Viewings, which will be conducted in the Provincial Capitals, shall be issued in due course.”
“To accord our Founding Father respect and dignity, while showing love and support to the family and in compliance with our national COVID-19 protocols, I would like to state that there shall be no physical body viewing. However, the entire procession including the church service will be carried live on TV. This arrangement will enable the millions of viewers at home to follow the proceedings and have a closer view of the remains of the late President,” she said.
The Vice President further disclosed that residents in the Provinces shall line up in designated routes to view the cortege and pay their last respects, adding that the Provincial Programmes will be managed by the Military to…
