• FORMER State House workers sing a birthday song for First Republican president Kenneth Kaunda (right) at his Kabulonga office in Lusaka yesterday. Picture by STEPHEN KAPAMBWE

By NAKUBIANA SHABONGO-
FIRST Republican president, Kenneth Kaunda yesterday met more than 30 former State House employees who worked under his administration.
The 32 former State House workers, who included former principal private secretaries, private secretaries, secretaries and house-keepers met the former Head of State to commemorate his 90th birthday in Lusaka.
Dr Kaunda was impressed and proud of the employees for coming together, which made him feel rejuvenated.
The former Head of State encouraged the group of former employees to continue cooperating for many more years to come so that they too can reach the 90-year milestone.
“I feel this has never happened to any of the retired Presidents in this country and I am humbled to have received a gathering of this kind with amazing performances. I am humbled and this is making me shed tears,” he said.
Notable among them were former principal private secretary, Sianga Shimabale, principal personal secretary to the president, Elizabeth Mweemba, special assistant political, Mark Chona, special assistants for Press, Beatwell Chisala and Mable Milimo.
Dr Kaunda later asked for his guitar and sang one of his favourite liberation struggle song titled ‘Tulelila Icalo’.
The former employees presented assorted gifts, among them a Bible, as a way to encourage Dr Kaunda to live with the word of God.
Mr Shimabale described Dr Kaunda as a peaceful man who was accommodating to all employees even the lowest ranked.