• FIRST LADY Dr Christine Kaseba bidding farewell to her husband.
By CATHERINE NYIRENDA-
MULTITUDES yesterday thronged the Mulungushi International Conference Centre to pay their last respects to the late President Michael Sata.
Mourners lined up as early as 07:00 hours outside the conference centre to be among the first to pay their last respects to the Head of State, who died in London on October 28, 2014.
Long winding queues formed all the way outside Mulungushi into the Great East Road as members of the public took turns filing past the casket carrying Mr Sata amid well choreographed solemn songs from various choirs.
Acting President Guy Scott, his wife Charlotte and First Lady Christine Kaseba led other mourners to view the body of the late President.
Dr Scott could not hold his emotions but broke down upon seeing his former comrade with whom he worked tirelessly in the opposition to the time their party, the Patriotic Front, formed Government in 2011.
Dr Kaseba then followed with children to pay her last respects to the man who was not only her husband but a pillar of her strength and best friend of many years.
The First Lady amidst sobs sang a farewell hymn to her late husband in line with the habit she developed in her marriage over the years, as disclosed by the late President at one of the State functions.
The body viewing will continue up to November 09, 2014 to allow members of the general public pay their last respects to Mr Sata.
PF Secretary General Edgar Lungu was next to pay his last respects to his late boss with the acting Chief Justice Lombe Chibesakunda and Speaker of the National Assembly Patrick Matibini following through.
Cabinet ministers, their deputies and other senior Government officials also paid their last respects to President Sata.
Members of the public wailed uncontrollably upon viewing President Sata.
Earlier, Zambia Army director of chaplaincy Vincent Mwenya in his homily advised the family to put their trust in God and in Jesus who is the author and finisher of their faith.
Reverend Colonel Mwenya recalled the hard works that President Sata rendered to the country when he serviced in different portfolios until the time he rose to the position of Republican President.
“Mr Sata contributed immensely to the development of this country in different ranks and God shall remember the works he had done,” Rev Col Mwenya said.
He said it was encouraging that the late Head of State knew and trusted in God to the extent that he pledged to rule the country under the 10 commandments and challenged whoever would take over from him to emulate his faith in Christ.
On Monday, November 10, 2014 a valedictory service for the late President by councilors will be held at Mulungushi International Conference Centre between 07:30 and 08:30 after which chiefs will pay their last respects before the body is moved to Parliament building for an interdenominational church service.
The casket would then be taken to State House where visiting Heads of State and representatives of Heads of Government would pay their last respects.
The body will then lie in state overnight at State House until Tuesday, November 11, 2014 when it will be moved to the Heroes National Stadium for a requiem mass and later to the Embassy Park for burial.
