WINDHOEK, Mar. 12 – President Hage Geingob on Saturday expressed his sorrow following the passing on of former Zambian president Rupiah Banda on Friday after a short battle with colon cancer.
“With his passing, Namibia has lost a dependable friend. But, we are comforted by his indelible contributions to the liberation movements of our region and the development of its people,” he said.
Geingob said that the people of Zambia had lost a great statesman and praised Banda’s efforts in the political and diplomatic arena.
“The People of Zambia have lost a great Statesman, former President Rupiah Banda. President Banda in 1974, in his capacity as Permanent Representative of Zambia to the United Nations took on the special responsibility of President of United Nations Council for Namibia. In that difficult assignment, President Banda played a pivotal role in advancing the cause of Independence for the Namibian People.”
Banda held multiple diplomatic posts before he was named vice-president in 2006 by then president Levy Mwanawasa. His tenure as Zambia’s forth president began in an acting capacity in mid-2008 when Mwanawasa suffered a stroke, and lasted one term when it came to a close in 2011.
“During this hour of grief, I extend sympathies to his wife, Thandiwe Banda, the children and the fraternal people of Zambia. May his soul Rest In Peace,” remarked Namibia’s Geingob.
The late Banda was 85 at the time of his passing. – musa@namibiadailynews.info
