• DENNIS Liwewe’s widow Sylvia pays her last respects to her late husband at the Anglican Cathedral of the Holy Cross in Lusaka yesterday . Picture by CHUSA SICHONE.

By NAKUBIANA MUMBUNA-
ZAMBIANS from all walks of life yesterday paid their last respects to legendary soccer commentator and journalist Dennis Liwewe with President Michael Sata stating that his death was a huge loss to the country.
President Sata said Mr Liwewe will be remembered for his great contribution to the development of Zambian football.
Mr Sata described Mr Liwewe as the greatest iconic soccer commentator and analyst who will be remembered for being an inspiration to Zambians and the soccer team in times of failure, sorrow and success.
The President noted that the celebrated soccer icon played a pivotal role in consoling the Zambian people when the entire Zambian soccer team perished off the cost of Gabon in 1993.
Mr Sata said he was delighted that the soccer icon witnessed the winning of the Africa Cup of Nations by Zambia in 2012.
“It gives me great pleasure to note that the sendoff of this iconic commentator and analyst comes after he witnessed what he spent half of his life chasing,” Mr Sata said.
The President said this in a speech read for him by Sports Minister Chishimba Kabwili during the funeral service at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross in Lusaka yesterday.
And Mr Liwewe’s widow Sylvia, in a speech read for her by Freda Kazembe described him as a devoted husband who always made time for his family.
She described her husband as a truthful and trustworthy man who had a great sense of humour.
Veteran soccer administrator Maxwell Sichula said the soccer icon through his outstanding commentary in Zambia and beyond enabled citizens to actively follow a football match on radio.
Mr Sichula said Mr Liwewe also spearheaded the establishment of football teams on the Copperbelt during the time he was working for Zambia Consolidated Copper Mines (ZCCM).
Former Zambia Army commander lieutenant general Benjamin Mibenge thanked President Sata for honouring Liwewe adding that he (Liwewe) refined the art of broadcasting in Zambia.
Mr Liwewe was in 1977 awarded with the order of distinguished service by former president Kenneth Kaunda for his contribution to the development of soccer in Zambia.
The legendary analyst and commentator had been involved in Zambian football for the last four decades covering more than 14 African Cup finals.
Mr Liwewe is survived by wife Sylvia, four children and grandchildren.
The children  are  Ponga, Kwangu,  Linda and Liwewe.
Those who attended the service included former republican president Kenneth Kaunda, Vice- President Guy Scott’s wife Charlotte, deputy speaker of the National Assembly Mkondo Lungu and secretary to the Cabinet Roland Msiska.
Several Cabinet ministers, deputy ministers, leaders of political parties, civic and religious leaders including members of the diplomatic corps also attended the service.