•THE United Church of Zambia’s Saint Paul’s congregation in Kabwata yesterday hosted a thanksgiving and recognition service for First Republican President Kenneth Kaunda in Lusaka. Above Dr Kaunda (left) seated with daughter Cheswa during the service. Picture by JEAN MANDELA

By REBECCA MUSHOTA  –
VICE-PRESIDENT Inonge Wina has celebrated first president Kenneth Kaunda’s 94th birthday by describing him as a treasure and an icon.
Ms Wina said Zambia was privileged and grateful to have Dr Kaunda who was a treasure not only to Zambia but to the world.
The Vice-President said this yesterday at St Paul’s Congregation of the United Church of Zambia (UCZ) where a thanksgiving and recognition service for Dr Kaunda was held.
Dr Kaunda is a member of the congregation.
Ms Wina said Dr Kaunda as founding father led the nation with peace and unity just as a Christian should.
“We have a treasure of wisdom, a statesman who is talented and a leader who held various positions including his ascendancy to president,” she said.
Ms Wina said Zambia was privileged to celebrate Dr Kaunda’s 94th birthday under his hallmark nation-building motto of ‘One Zambia, one nation’.
Ms Wina said Zambia was grateful to have the founding father carrying on with his efforts to make Zambia a better place even in his old age.
Dr Kaunda, in a speech read by his daughter Cheswa Silwizya, said that the church service was the best birthday present.
He said he wished his late wife Betty and mother were present to celebrate with him.
UCZ secretary general Peggy Kabonde said the church was blessed to have Dr Kaunda among its members, as well as being a person who played a leading role in its establishment.
Reverend Kabonde said Dr Kaunda was born at Lubwa Mission and later joined the Central African Church of Rhodesia in Mufulira which later became UCZ.
He started the Pathfinders – which would later grow into what is now known as the Boys Brigade – and then moved to Lusaka in 1953 and joined the Central Methodist Church, now known as St Paul’s.
Ms Silwizya said it was good to celebrate someone’s life while they were still living.
The Vice-President, the UCZ top leadership all presented gifts to the father of the nation at the event.