By REBECCA MUSHOTA
PRESIDENT Edgar Lungu has declared three days national mourning for the late veteran freedom fighter, Salome Kapwepwe in recognition of her distinguished service to the nation.
The mourning period will start tomorrow until Saturday, the day of her burial.
This is according to a statement issued by Secretary to the Cabinet Rowland Msiska yesterday.
Ms Kapwepwe, who died at the age of 90, is the wife of Zambia’s post-independence second Vice-President in the UNIP administration, the late Simon Mwansa Kapwepwe, who died in 1980.
And earlier in a statement issued by President Lungu’s Special Assistant for Press and Public Relations, Amos Chanda, the Head of State expressed sadness over the demise of Ms Kapwepwe.
Kapwepwe’s passing yesterday, Mr Lungu said Zambia had lost a great icon who was the epitome of what women ought to be to their families, society and the nation.
Ms Kapwepwe died in her sleep on Monday night.
The President said Ms Kapwepwe was a warm and big-hearted person whose tremendous contribution to Zambia’s liberation struggle would continue to be cherished by many Zambians for generations to come.
President Lungu said the story of Zambia’s liberation struggle would be incomplete without mentioning the Kapwepwe name.
The President said Ms Kapwepwe was a heroine who collaborated with other great women of Zambia alongside the men to achieve the country’s independence at the expense of their lives and families.
Mr Lungu said without Ms Kapwepwe’s immense sacrifice and that of other women, the fight for Zambia’s independence would have been than much harder.

KAPWEPWE

He noted that Ms Kapwepwe and other heroines held their families together, regardless of the challenging times, allowing the families remained intact, resulting in Zambia being peaceful, united and stable after independence.
“The President recalls his call to the nation in his Africa Freedom Day Address on Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation (ZNBC) television on May 24, 2016 under the theme: ‘Celebrating the Role of Women in the Liberation Struggle,’ to pay tribute to the founding mothers, who included Mrs Kapwepwe for their invaluable sacrifices and support during the liberation struggle,” the statement said.
The President underscored the need and importance for the nation to recognise and celebrate founding fathers and mothers before they passed away.
“I wish to convey my heartfelt condolences to the Kapwepwe family and the people of Chinsali in Muchinga Province, on the loss of our great mother whose contribution to Zambia’s liberation struggle will always be cherished.
“As you go through this trying period, may you find fortitude and comfort in the Almighty God. May the Soul of our great mother, rest in peace,” he said.