Namibia mourns Betty Kaunda

By: CHARLES MUSONDA

THE death of Betty Kaunda, the wife of former Zambian president Kenneth Kaunda, is a great loss, Trade Minister Hage Geingob said yesterday. He said the Kaunda couple were like parents to Namibians who went into exile in Zambia. “We as Namibians appreciate what they have done for us.”

Geingob was scheduled to represent the Namibian government at the funeral at Chinsali’s Lubwa Mission yesterday, but it did not take place because the former president was admitted to the University Teaching Hospital for what his son Panji described as “exhaustion”.

“I believe we have over-worked the old man, hence the reason for his hospitalisation,” the first-born son of the statesman said.

“The burial cannot be held until the old man recuperates, which we understand must be in about four days or so. I believe the old man is out of danger at this point and all he needs is a lot of rest.”

Other family members have asked the government and hospital authorities to restrict visits to the former leader currently in the VIP Ward after admission on Friday night.

Dr Kaunda’s sixth-born son, Kaweche, said this is according to the doctors’ advice.

“We appreciate all concerns but the doctors have insisted that for him to get a quick recovery, there should not be visitors,” Kaweche said.

Dr Kaunda’s confinement to a hospital bed also compelled the government and his family to postpone the requiem service for the late Betty Kaunda, which was scheduled to take place at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross yesterday.

“The nation will be informed on the church service and other funeral arrangements later,” the acting secretary to cabinet Rowland Msiska said in a statement. – Zambia Daily Mail 

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