By SUNDAYTimes Reporter –
VETERAN  politician and business executive Vernon Mwaanga has described Murray Lee Sanderson, the Kitwe-based business executive who has died at the age of 86 as a man who made a lasting contribution to Zambia’s commerce and trade.
Mr Mwaanga said yesterday he had been privileged to know Mr Sanderson and his wife, Eva, for many years and his passing at a Kitwe hospital on Friday morning was a big loss to Zambian commerce and to Kitwe where some of his businesses were located during his most active years.
“Murray was an astute business executive who made great contributions to the chamber development in Zambia…a very thoughtful individual who analysed issues and brought a sense of depth to every discussion,” said Mr Mwaanga.
He said Mr Sanderson brought a: “sense of affection and dedication to doing what was right for Zambia” said Mr Mwaanga, “He was a very caring husband and father of his children and at this moment, all I can say is that I would ask to allow His angels to open the door to heaven and grant him eternal rest.”
Mr Sanderson who is survived by a wife – former Kitwe deputy mayor, Eva – and two children and three grandchildren, passed on after complications arising from a heart condition.
A naturalised Zambian, Mr Sanderson was born in England in 1931.  After secondary education at Rugby School he did national service in Germany as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Royal Norfolk Regiment.
He then read Modern History at Trinity College, Oxford. After acceptance by the Colonial Office, he did a year’s course at Cambridge University, following which he served for 7 years (1956-63) as a District Officer in Kenya.
He moved in 1963 to the Copperbelt in Northern Rhodesia, where he was employed by NCCM Ltd in Chingola as an industrial relations officer.
After four months he left to join Ronnie Grewcock & Company Ltd (later Lutanda Ltd.).
Due to his interest in employee involvement in company ownership and management he established in 1968 a clothing manufacturer called Medwich Clothing Limited, Kitwe, in which employees elected members to the board.
The Company expanded to employ over 200 people.  However, in those days all manufacturing in Zambia received substantial protection against imports, and the company was unable to compete successfully after this was removed.
Other companies in which Sanderson became the main shareholder and an active director were Minga Timber Company Ltd. In the Eastern Province, Foundry & Engineering Ltd. In Luanshya and Jung & Company Ltd., Kitwe, which produced concrete machinery for Lutanda to market.
Over the years he was involved in several community related initiatives and projects, including Sight for Zambia, of which he was a founder member and Executive Secretary.
He was also executive secretary of the Zambia Institute for Public Policy Analysis (ZIPPA), and he served on the executives, and also for periods, as Chairman, of both the Kitwe Chamber of Commerce & Industry and the Zambia Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ZACCI).
He was an avid reader and writer. His other interests included fitness, nutrition, education and travel, as well as spending time with the family.
Known for his excellent and very British sense of humour, he was a thoughtful, open-hearted and generous man.