.NSANDA

By SAM PHIRI, HOPE BWALYA and MILDRED KATONGO –

MESSAGES of condolences from all walks of life have continued to pour in on the death of Patriotic Front (PF) Member of Central Committee (MCC), Willie Nsanda.
First Lady Esther Lungu yesterday visited the funereal house of the late Mr Nsanda who was also Road Development Agency (RDA) Chairperson at the Mass Media residential area in Lusaka.
Ms Lungu who broke down upon entering late Mr Nsanda’s yard, arrived at the house around 12: 15 hours to join other mourners that included Zambia’s former High Commissioner to Kenya Mumbi Phiri.
After spending some time with Mr Nsanda’s relatives, the First Lady signed the book of condolences in which she described Mr Nsanda as one of those truly behind President Edgar Lungu’s victory.
President Lungu has since declared a day of national morning in honour of Mr Nsanda.
Mr Nsanda, 62, died on Monday at Milpark Hospital in Johannesburg, South Africa where he was receiving treatment for prostate cancer since his admission in December last year.
Meanwhile, the political fraternity has described the death of Mr Nsanda as shocking and disturbing.
United Party for National Development (UPND), deputy spokesperson, Edwin Lifwekelo said Mr Nsanda would be remembered for his immense contribution to politics.
Mr Lifwekelo in an interview urged the Nsanda family to remain strong during the hard times.
Chimwemwe Member of Parliament (MP) Mwenya Musenge also described Mr Nsanda’s death as saddening and a loss to the nation.
Mr Musenge said Mr Nsanda was a gallant member of the PF party who had a heart for the people.
Mr Musenge said Mr Nsanda had rare abilities to mobilise and organise the party even in difficult times.
Former Kitwe Mayor Cosmas Bwalya said the death of Mr Nsanda had created a huge gap in the PF party that would be hard to replace.
Mr Nsanda served as Works, Supply and Transport deputy minister and Local Government deputy minister in late President Levy Mwanawasa’s Government.
He was also Chimwemwe MP under the MMD from 2001 to 2006, when he quit and joined the PF.
Mr Nsanda re-contested the Chimwemwe seat on the PF ticket in 2006 and was re-elected MP.
In 2011, the former United Transport and Taxis Association (UTTA) president did not re-contest the seat but was appointed Mr Sata’s campaign manager.
On October 8, 2012, Mr Nsanda was appointed RDA Board chairperson, a position he held till his death.
Mr Nsanda’s body is expected to arrive in Zambia on Sunday at 12:20 hours.
PF secretary general Davis Chama said in a statement yesterday that Mr Nsanda’s remains would be flown from Johannesburg to Ndola before being transported to Kitwe by road.
“Mr Nsanda’s funeral will be held at his house in Garnetone, Kitwe and mourners are advised not to travel to Lusaka as the body will be transported directly to the Copperbelt,” Mr Chama said.
Mr Nsanda’s father, PF Central Committee Member Samuel Mukupa and family members will accompany his body to Zambia.