Embassy Park Presidential Burial

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(Redirected from Embassy Park)
Embassy Park Presidential Burial
Embassy Park Presidential Burial 1.png
Presidential Burial site poster.
Details
Established2008
Location
Independence Ave, Lusaka
CountryZambia
TypeCemetery
Owned byNHCC
No. of graves3

Embassy Park Presidential Burial Site, also known as Embassy Park, is the official burial place for Zambia's presidents.[1] It is located in Lusaka, the country's capital city. The site was established as a National Monument in 2009.[2], in recognition of its historical and cultural significance to the country.

Embassy Park is the final resting place for Zambia's former presidents, including Kenneth Kaunda, the country's first president, Frederick Chiluba, the second president, Levy Mwanawasa the third president, Rupiah Banda the fourth president and Michael Sata the fifth president. The site serves as a symbol of the country's political and social history, commemorating the contributions of its leaders toward the country's development.

The park is open to the public, with visitors able to pay their respects to Zambia's former presidents and learn more about the country's political and cultural heritage. Its status as a national monument reflects its importance in preserving and promoting Zambia's history, and it is expected to continue serving as an important cultural landmark for generations to come.

Mausoleum

The mausoleum for each president at the site is uniquely built with features that represent things which each president is often remembered and also for visitors to learn about their individual and collective contributions.[3] Both Presidents Levy Mwanawasa and Michael Sata died whilst they were still in office. In contrast, Fredrick Chiluba died as a former president after he had completed two consecutive terms in office.

Levy Mwanawasa

Mwanawasa’s mausoleum is built in the shape of a stool. This was due to him being the first president of Zambia to have died as a sitting president. The mausoleum has four pillars around it which are boot-shaped. This denotes the commitment that Mwanawasa had towards stamping out corruption. He stayed committed to this fight until his death. There are eight steps leading to the entrance of Mwanawasa’s mausoleum. First of all, the first five steps are wide, which represent the five years of the first full-term served. In contrast, the next three steps are narrow representing the two and a half years of the second term. This is because had completed these years when he passed on. Mwanawasa was born on 3rd September 1948. He was, therefore, buried on what would have been his 60th Birthday, on 3rd September 2008. This is the first mausoleum you will see when you visit Zambia’s stunning Presidential Memorial site.[1][4]

Fredrick Chiluba

He was the first former Head of State to be laid to rest at the Presidential Memorial Park. His mausoleum is in the design of a chapel, which has a cross (symbol of Christianity) on top. This is because he was the President that declared Zambia as a Christian Nation on 29th December 1991. The mausoleum also has 10 pillars around it to represent the number of years that Chiluba served. This was two full consecutive terms of five years each. The 10 pillars also denote the commitment to unite the southern African region. He demonstrated this in operations such as initiating peace talks in the Democratic Republic of Congo. On the roof of the mausoleum, just below the cross, there is also a small structure representing a house. This is styled like a village thatch-roofed house. It due to one of the things he will be remembered for, his commitment to empowering the Zambians with housing. A most noteworthy initiative during his tenure was the development of the Bennie Mwiinga housing project in Lusaka. Fredrick Chiluba was also famed for his elegant sense of fashion and exquisite dress style. Likewise, the entrance to his mausoleum has a ramp shaped like a necktie.[1][4]

Michael Sata

He was the fifth Republican President and also the second sitting president to be buried at the Presidential Memorial site. Most noteworthy, his Mausoleum is designed in the style of King Solomon’s Temple, Jerusalem. The temple design furthermore denotes the massive infrastructure development that President Sata embarked on during his tenure in office. Inside, there are also 10 pillars which represent the 10 provinces of Zambia. This is because he created the 10th province of the country, Muchinga Province. On the upper part of the internal walls, the 10 Commandments from the Bible are written in English and Arabic. It’s due to President Sata’s pronouncement that he would rule Zambia using the 10 Commandments. This pronouncement was, most importantly, made just after he was inaugurated as President. Also present is a portrait of Sata at St Ignatius Catholic Church on the day he made the pronouncement. Across the hall on a similar position as the portrait, are also pictures of some of the ambitious infrastructure projects. They were constructed under Sata’s infrastructure development, which includes the Michael Chilufya Sata Hospital, Mpika District. It was named consequently in honour of the late President Sata himself. Similarly the Mongu-Kalabo Bridge, in Western Province, was constructed under the same policy. On the outside of the mausoleum, there is a stairway leading to the temple upper level. This, therefore, gives a bird’s eye view of the inside of Sata’s mausoleum and the park. It provides a vantage point where one can take great photos as they visit Zambia’s stunning Presidential Memorial site. Undoubtedly this would be an addition to unique memorabilia. The steps of the stairway have written on them 29 districts that were created also under his leadership as president.[1][4]

References

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