Sunday 31 August 2008

CADRE MOURNS


AN UNIDENTIFIED MMD CADRE MOURNS PRESIDENT MWANAWASA AT LIVINGSTONE AIRPORT DURING THE FUNERAL PROCESSIONS AND BODY VIEWING.

LEVY'S BODY

LEVY'S BODY IN LIVINGSTONE


THE LATE PRESIDENT MWANAWASA'S BODY DURING VIEW IN LIVINGSTONE.

TONGA DANCERS


TONGA TRADITIONAL DANCERS PERFORMING TRIBAL DANCES DURING PRESIDENT MWANAWASA'S FUNERAL AT LIVINGSTONE AIRPORT.
IT IS CULTURAL FOR THE TONGA TO DANCE AND SING LIKE THIS EVEN AT A FUNERAL. IT IS PART FO THEIR CULTURE.
THEY DANCE WITH LONG SPEARS IN THEIR HANDS

CHIEF MUKUNI


CHIEF MUKUNI AND HIS QUEEN OF THE TONGA PEOPLE FOLLOWING PROCEEDINGS DURING PRESIDENT MWANAWASA'S FUNERAL AT LIVINGSTONE AIRPORT.

BREASTFEEDING


AN UNIDENTIFIED MOTHER BREASTFEEDING HER BABY ON THE QUEUE IN SOLWEZI.

FRESHNING UP??

MOURNER FRESHENS UP


AN UNIDENTIFIED MOURNER CLEANS HER FACE AT SOLWEZI AIRPORT.

Saturday 30 August 2008

MWANAWASA'S SISTER


THE LATE PRESIDENT MWANAWASA'S SISTER EVA WEEPING N SOLWEZI.

MWANAWASA'S RELATIVE



A CLOSE RELATIVE TO THE LATE PRESIDENT ONLY IDENTIFIED AS MRS MAPALA WEEPING DURING THE FUNERAL PROCESSION IN SOLWEZI.

QUEUE


MOURNERS SQUIZZED IN A QUEUE FOR BODY VIEWING. THE POLICE DID NOT EXERCISE ANY MERCY ON ANYONE CUTTING IN. THEY BEAT UP AND SLAPPED PEOPLE INCLUDING OLD MEN, OLD WOMEN AND CHILDREN. IN FACT MANY PEOPLE DID NOT VIEW THE BODY AS A A RESULT BECAUSE THERE WAS COMMOTION AND GENERAL LACK OF ORDER IN THE PROCEEDINGS ESPECIALLY WHERE THE MASSES GATHERED.

SOLWEZI-QUEUE


A WOMAN WITH A BABY ON HER BACK DISPLAYS A PLACARD BIDDING FAREWELL THE LATE PRESIDENT.

ESCORT

SENTRY


A SENTRY KEEPS VIGIL AT NDOLA AIRPORT WHEN DR MWANAWASA BODY ARRIVED.

NDOLA-ESCORT


PERSONNEL FROM THE DEFENCE FORCES ESCORT THE BODY OF THE LATE PRESIDENT FROM THE AIRPORT TO TRADE FAIR GROUNDS WHERE BODY VIEWING WAS DONE. THERE WERE ALSO COMMANDOS ON THE LINE WHO ESCORTED THE BODY ON FOOT ALONG THE 15 KILO METRE STRETCH.

BANDA


THIS MAN IS CALLED MR ARTHUR BANDA RUNS A FUNERAL FIRM IN LUSAKA CALLED CHOSEN HERITAGE HOME. HE WAS THE ONE HIRED TO TAKE CARE OF DR MWANAWASA'S BODY WHEN IT WAS TAKEN AROUND THE COUNTRY.

LEVY BODY IN MANSA


P\LATE PRESIDENT MWANAWASA'S BODY IN MANSA DURING BODY VIEWING.

MAUREEN MWANAWASA


FORMER FIRST LADY MAUREEN MWANAWASA COMFORST AN UNIDENTIFIED MOURNER AT MANSA AIRPORT WHEN THE BODY ARRIVED. SHE LOOKED STRONGER THAN MOST MOURNERS BECAUSE SHE WAS NOT UNCONTROLLABLE LIKE MOST WOMEN MOURNERS AND WIDOWS DO DURING THE DEATH OF THEIR LOVED ONES.

CHIBOMBAMILIMO


NORTHERN PROVINCE DEPUTY MINISTER LAMECK CHIBOMBAMILIMO FOLLOWING PROCEEDINGS DURING THE PRESIDENTS' FUNERAL IN KASAA. THIS MAN HAS BEEN OPENLY AND SHAMELESSLY CALLING FOR THE FIRST LADY TO CONTEST THE REPUBLICAN PRESIDENCY.

ABANDONED PROPERTY


SOME PEOPLE IN KASAMA HAD TO ABANDONE THEIR BELONGINGS SUCH AS SHOES, WAIST BELTS, HAND BAGS AND SOME WIGS ALSO CAME OFF FROM SOME WOMEN'S HEADS DURING A STAMPEDE.

MOURNERS BEATEN


POLICE OFFICERS BEATING CURIOUS KASAMA RESIDENTS WHO WERE JSOTLING FOR A CHANCE TO VIEW THE LATE PRESIDENT'S BODY AT KASAMA STADIUM.

KASAMA-CHIBOMBAMILIMO


A WOMAN MOURNS LEVY ALONG KASAMA AIRPORT ROAD DURING THE FUNERAL PROCESSION IN KASAMA.

KABWE-BODY ARRIVES


The late President Mwanawasa's Aid De'camp (ADC) Mr Kaonga salutes his body when it arrived in Kabwe.

KABWE-BODY ARRIVES


MR MWANAWASA'S BODY ARRIVES FOR VIEWING IN KABWE. PALLBEARERS FROM THE DEFENCE FORCES HAD TO LIFT TO HEAVY METAL CASKET WITH SUCH DIFFICULTY. IN SOLWEZI, THE PALLBEARERS HAD TO BE MASSAGED TO EASE THE PAIN FROM EXHAUSTION.

SATA EXITS


A POLICE OFFICER USHERS MR SATA OUT OF THE AIRPORT, WHERE HE HAD BEEN ASKED TO LEAVE. EARLIER, EASTERN PROVINCE MINISTER CHARLES SHAWA OPENLY ATTACKED MR SATA ASKING HIM WHY HE FLEW TO CHIPATA TO ATTEND MWANAWASA'S FUNERAL WHEN HAD ALREADY DONE THAT IN LUSAKA THE PREVIOUS DAY.

SATA AND MAUREEN


FORMER FIRST LADY MAUREEN MWANAWASA CASTIGATES PATROTIC FRONT LEADER MICHEAL SATA AT CHIPATA AIRPORT. MR SATA WAS ASKED TO LEAVE UNCEREMONOUSLY.

Monday 25 August 2008

MWANAWASA'S BODY ON FAREWELL TRAIL

I am on the mourning trail accompanying President Mwanawasa's body, which is being taken to all the nine provincial capitals of Zammbia.
We started with Chipata, then Kasama. We are going to Ndola, Solwezi in the west, Livingstone in the south and the rest shall follow.
In Chipata, I did a lot of picturemonging, which you shall see in this space soon.
I was however forced to share some images from Kasama. Well, since pictures don't lie in this space but look at this image where the police clashed with a multitude of Kasama residents who lined up to view the body of the late President.
Watch this space because I shall showcase real images from the mourning trail.
may Dr Mwanawasa's soul rest in eternal peace.

Sunday 24 August 2008

LEVY PATRICK


President levy Mwanawasa's body laying in state in Lusaka. On Monday, the body will start a journey to all the nine provincial centres of Zambia.
Scores of Lusaka residents thronged to the Mulungushi International Conference Centre to view the body of the late President who will be buried on September 3, the day Mr Mwanawasa should have been celebrating his 60th birthday.
According to a tentative programme, Mr Mwanawasa will be buried at his farm in Palabana, on the outskirts of the capital city.

LEVY

Levy Mwanawasa

PRESIDENT MWANAWASA

President Mwanawasa lays in state

Saturday 23 August 2008

Chiluba and his wife Regina


Second republican President Frederick Chiluba signs the book of condolences at State House yesterday as his wife Regina looks on.
Chiluba was among scores of dignitories and VIPs who visited State House in the capital, Lusaka. Picture By STEVEN KAPAMBWE.

Kenneth Kaunda-condolences


First republican President Kenneth Kaunda signs the book of condolences for the late President Dr Levy Mwanawasa at State House yesterday. Picture By STEVEN KAPAMBWE.

Mama Kankasa


Freedom Mama Kankasa wailing before signing the book of condolences at State House yesterday.

Tuesday 19 August 2008

PRESIDENT MWANAWASA HAS DIED

ZAMBIA'S PRESIDENT LEVY PATRICK MWANAWASA HAS DIED.
VICE PRESIDENT RUPIAH BANDA ANNOUNCED DEATH OF THE PRESIDENT IN A LIVE TELEVISION ADDRESS HERE THAT DR MWANAWASA DIED AT 10:30 HOURS AT PERCY MILITARY HOSPITAL IN PARIS FRANCE.
MR BANDA ALSO DECLARED A SEVEN DAY PERIOD OF NATIONAL MOURNING.
THE VICE PRESIDENT ASKED ZAMBIANS TO REMAIN CALM AND MOURN THE PRESIDENT WITH DIGNITY.
PRESIDENT MWANAWASA 59, WAS ADMITTED IN PARIS AFTER HE SUFFERED A STROKE IN EGYPT DURING THE AFRICAN UNION MEETING IN JUNE THIS YEAR.
FIRST REPUBLICAN PRESIDENT KENNETH KAUNDA HAS DESCRIBED DR MWANAWASA AS A CHAMPION OF DEMOCRACY AND THE FIGHT AGAINST GRAFT AND CORRUPTION.
AND SECOND REPUBLICAN PRESIDENT FREDERICK CHILUBA SAID ZAMBIANS MUST REMAIN CALM DURING THIS LOSS. HE SAID THE PEOPLE MUST OBSERVE THE ONSTITUTION.
MAY HIS SOUL REST IN ETERNAL PEACE.

THE LAST TIME WE SAW PRESIDENT MWANAWASA



PRESIDENT MWANAWASA WAVES AT GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS AND OTHER PEOPLE WHO ESCORTED HIM TO THE AIRPORT BEFORE HE LEFT FOR EGYPT ON JUNE 29.
DR MWANAWASA WENT TO EGYPT TO ATTEND THE AFRICAN UNION SUMMIT.
BEFORE LEAVING FOR EGYPT, DR MWANAWASA OFFICIATED AT A REGIONAL CONFERENCE FOR CATHOLIC BISHOPS AT THE CATHEDRAL OF THE CHILD JESUS AND PROCEEDED TO THE AIRPORT FROM THAT VENUE.
WHILST THERE, THE PRESIDENT SUFFERED A STROKE AND WAS TAKEN TO FRANCES' PERCY MILITARY HOSPITAL WHERE HE WAS ADMITTED UNTIL HIS DEATH TODAY.
I STILL HAVE FOND MEMORIES OF DR MWANAWASA AT THE AIRPORT WHEN HE ADDRESSED US DURING A PRESS BRIEFING.
HE LOOKED COOL, CALM AND COLLECTED. SOME PRESIDENTIAL AIDES WANTED TO BLOCK US FROM INTERVIEWING THE PRESIDENT BUT I WAS AMUSED WHEN DR MWANAWASA RECOGNISED OUR PRESENCE IN THE VIP LOUNGE, WHERE WE 'GATE CRUSHED' AND ANSWERED OUR QUESTIONS.
LATER WE ESCORTED HIM TO THE PRESIDENTIAL CHALLENGER PLANE, HE WAVED AT US AND LITTLE DID WE KNOW THAT IT WAS THE LAST TIME WE WERE TO SEE THE PRESIDENT AGAIN.

LEVY AND MAUREEN LEAVE FOR EGYPT


PRESIDENT MWANAWASA AND FIRST LADY MAUREEN LEAVING FOR EGYPT ON JUNE 29, 2008. ON THE FAR RIGHT IS DEFENCE MINISTER GEORGE MPOMBO ESCORING THEM TO THE PRESIDENTIAL CHALLENGER PLANE.

SATA AND LEVY


OPPOSITION PATROTIC FRONT LEADER MICHEAL SATA JOKES WITH PRESIDENT MWANAWASA BEFORE HE LEFT FOR EGYPT. IT WAS THE LAST TIME THE TWO LEADERS MET.

THE LAST PRESS BRIEFING


PRESIDENT MWANAWASA GETTING QUESTIONS FROM JOURNALISTS AT LUSAKA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT BEFORE HE LEFT FOR EGYPT ON JUNE 29 THIS YEAR.

PRESIDENT MWANAWASA LEAVES CHURCH


PRESIDENT MWANAWASA LEAVING THE CATHEDRAL OF THE CHILD JESUS AFTER OFFICIATING AT AN EVENT FOR CATHOLIC BISHOPS IN LUSAKA JUST BEFORE HE LEFT FOR EGYPT.

PRESIDENT MWANAWASA AT CHURCH


PRESIDENT MWANAWASA AT THE CHILD JESUS CATHEDRAL IN LUSAKA WHERE HE OFFICIATED AT A CATHOLIC EVENT ON JUNE 29 SHORTLY BEFORE HE LEFT FOR EGYPT TO ATTEND THE AFRICAN UNION SUMMIT.

Monday 18 August 2008

ZESCO engineers


ZESCO engineers doing rehabilitation works at Kafue Gorge power station. They are fitting new circuit breakers, replacing old equipment which was installed when the power station was erected.
This programme is part of the comprehensive rehabilitation exercise to increase the lifespan and efficiency of the power station.

The Kafue river


The Kafue river, which has been harnessed to form the power station.

Welcome to Kafue Gorge power station


Driving down the slanting road that leads to entrance of the power station.

Inside the Kafue Gorge power tunnel


Driving inside the slanting 950 metre tunnel that leads to the turbines at Kafue Gorge Power Station.

ZESCO power generator

ZESCO turbine rehabilitation


One of the turbines undergoing rehabilitation at Kafue Gorge Power Station. ZESCO Limited has often come under attack from the general for the load shedding being experienced in Zambia.
However, the complete rehabilitation works, which are expected to finish in December this year would help reduce the power cuts by a certain percentage.
Kafue Gorge contributes two thirds of Zambia's total energy output.
The power shortage in Zambia is expected to persist but according to Kafue Gorge Power station manager Masiye Mwale, the ultimate solution lies in erecting more power stations, an idea which the government and private sector participants are working on.

Rehabilitated Chirundu road


Motorists driving along the rehabilitated patch of the Chirundu road. There is a narrow patch call Kapilingozi, which was tricky to nevigate but the chinese contractor, who has just completed works has widened the road to allow easier passage and imporved terrain with better road signs.

Welcome to Chirundu

Chirundu border


Driving into the border area of Chirundu. The place is between Zambia and Zimbabwe. Its a busy place because it is where most of Zambia's goods are cleared, just like the other borders or entry points.