By SAM PHIRI-
DR PETER Matoka. G.O.E.Z, BA, MA, PHD…All these are far above the ground credentials that will from Friday, September 12, 2014 remain in the Zambian archives as part of the country’s great achievers’ history.
To be precise, it was around 4:30am on the aforementioned date, when heart-rending news hit the nation that one of the freedom fighters charged with a special task of unveiling the name ‘Zambia’ at the source of the Zambezi River of October 24, 1964 had breathed his last. He was 86.
He might have left the face of the challenging earth, but the trace of Zambia’s achievements in most sectors especially education and Independence struggle have his name engraved on them without doubt.
Most of those privileged to have shared his achievements through a plethora of his offerings he rendered to Zambia, would mourn with indebted hearts to this name. A great man of the soil would befit this description.
That is why his demise has touched and broken the heart of President Michael Sata who has granted this great man a state funeral.
Earlier, in his commiseration message to the Matoka family on the death of veteran politician, freedom fighter and academician, the Head of State described the death of Dr Matoka as grievous and saddening.
“It is with deep sorrow that I offer my condolences to the Matoka family on the loss of this loyal and dedicated compatriot,” the President said.
According to the President, the late Dr Matoka rendered a great service to the country across many spheres where he showed exemplary skill and talent- a fact that is well backed by a large section of the Zambian society.
The President would say: “I remember Peter from our early days as teenagers, as a warm hearted, passionate and gifted leader. Peter has always been a trustworthy person at all stages of his life.”
Dr Matoka, an honoured Freedom fighter and academician’s death was confirmed by his Son, Anthony who said his late father had been well of late.
However, he stated feeling unwell to a point that he had to be hospitalised at the University Teaching Hospital (UTH) for 10 days before giving up.
Adding to many of his historical achievements served as the very first Cabinet Minister in charge of Information and postal services under first Zambia’s President Dr Kenneth Kaunda. This was in a 14- member cabinet formed in 1964 by Dr Kaunda.
He was also the first university graduate from North-Western province where he will apparently be put to rest and was one of the 100 graduates at Independence. At one point, he served as Mwinilunga Member of Parliament.
Dr Matoka also served in UNIP’s Central Committee before he was sent into diplomatic mission.
At the age of 60, Dr Matoka decided to pursue a PHD in Sociology at the University of Warwick in the UK before returning to Zambia to become a lecturer at the University of Zambia.
Apparently, simultaneously, Dr Matoka also served as one of the board of Directors at the Lumwana Mines in Solowezi.
After lecturing at the University of Zambia for many years, he proceeded to become chancellor at Copperstone University, the position he held at the time of his death.
Former president Rupiah Banda has described the late Dr Matoka as an inspiration who proved that excellence could be achieved by any determined person.
The former head of State says Dr Matoka’s immense contribution to Zambia’s liberation and development will never be erased from the memory of the Zambian people.
In a letter to Dr Matoka’s widow, Grace, the former head of State expressed his sadness at the death of a man who inspired many, both in terms of political consciousness and the desire to continue contributing to Zambia’s educational standards.
“When your husband graduated with a BA degree from Natal University at the age of 24 in 1954, he proved to us that, regardless of a person’s humble background, it was possible to achieve excellence if only one was determined,” reads the letter in part.
Mr Banda further says Dr Matoka’s academic attainments motivated many youths in pre-independence times to aspire for greater achievements in their own lives.
Opposition UPND leader Hakainde Hichilema describes late Dr Matoka as an astute man guided by principles such as honesty and hardwork.
“These virtues and many others defined who Dr Matoka stood for. No amount of tears and speeches could possibly replace this man, but if we follow his footsteps, it would be a fitting recognition of his life,” he says.
Acceding to Mr Hichilema, Dr Matoka defied odds, by pursuing a PhD at the age of 60 and that he was a man who served the country in UNIP as a minister but was humble enough to lecture at the University of Zambia.
“This is the level of humility that defined Dr Matoka which we shall all miss from this peace stalwart and freedom fighter,” he says.
The fact that, at independence in 1964, at a relatively tender age of 34, Dr Matoka was found worthy of a place in Zambia’s first Cabinet, is proof of his quality that continued to be recognised at various stages of his life.
Mr Banda adds that it was humbling that when he became Zambia’s fourth president in 2008, Dr Matoka was among the many Zambians who were willing to offer their advice and support to the new government.
Mr Banda has urged Mrs Matoka to be proud of the diligent service her late husband rendered to Zambia and take time to celebrate his illustrious life. Dr. Matoka was one of the four surviving members of the 1964 cabinet.
The history of the name ‘Zambia’ surely remains hanging without a mention of a man who given a very special and significant task of unveiling the source of the Zambezi River where the name Zambia is derived from October 24, 1964.
He might have passed on but his immense contribution to the country leave a great imprint of a myriad of successes in the country. MHSRIP.