Presidential state funerals
Presidential State funerals in Zambia are the official funerary rites conducted by the government in the nation's capital, Lusaka that are offered to a sitting or former president of Zambia or a president-elect. Only four have been held since 2008.
Levy Mwanawasa 2008
- Further information: Levy Mwanawasa
On 29 June 2008, while attending the African Union summit in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, President Levy Mwanawasa suffered a second stroke and was hospitalised. He had previously experienced a mild stroke in April 2006 while serving as Head of State. Following his hospitalisation in Egypt, he was evacuated to France on 1 July 2008 by International SOS for specialist treatment. According to the medical team at the Egyptian facility, the bleeding in the brain had been contained, but Mwanawasa was reported to be in a semi-comatose condition.
At the time, Vice-President Rupiah Banda stated that the President’s condition was stable. Minister of Information Mike Mulongoti added that Mwanawasa had a known history of hypertension and described him as a "very hard-working man", suggesting this might have contributed to his health complications.
On 18 August 2008, Vice-President Banda reported that President Mwanawasa's condition had suddenly worsened, requiring emergency medical attention. Although the intervention was said to have been successful, Mwanawasa remained in critical condition.
The following day, on 19 August 2008, President Levy Patrick Mwanawasa SC was officially confirmed dead. The announcement was made by Vice-President Banda in a live broadcast on the Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation (ZNBC). Mwanawasa died at 10:30 Central African Time (08:30 GMT) at Percy Military Hospital in Paris, France. Vice-President Banda, expressing profound sorrow and grief, declared a seven-day period of national mourning, urging citizens to maintain calm and honour the late President with dignity.
On 21 August, the mourning period was extended to 21 days, reflecting the deep national and regional significance of Mwanawasa’s passing.
Frederick Chiluba 2011
- Further information: Frederick Chiluba
Chiluba died on June 18, 2011, shortly after midnight. His spokesman, Emmanuel Mwamba, announced his death. Mwamba stated that Chiluba had a normal day on June 17, and even had time to meet some of his lawyers. He later complained of stomach ache.
Michael Sata 2014
- Further: Michael Sata and State funeral of Michael Sata
President Michael Sata died in office in 2011. Concerns about Sata's health grew during 2014 and some suggested that he was no longer really running the government due to his condition, although the government denied that. He stopped appearing in public, which seemed jarringly uncharacteristic for the notably extroverted and outspoken president. Observers thought he seemed unwell when he opened parliament on 19 September and over the course of the following month he failed to appear in public again. MMD leader Nevers Mumba alleged that the government was lying about Sata's health. He also missed a speech at the general debate of the sixty-ninth session of the United Nations General Assembly amid rumours he had fallen ill at a New York City hotel.
On 19 October, he left the country for what was described as a medical check-up, leaving Edgar Lungu, the Minister of Defense, in charge of the country in his absence. Given the circumstances, including the sudden nature of the trip, Sata's absence from public view and the fact that the 50th anniversary of Zambian independence was only days away, many believed that Sata was very seriously ill.
Sata died on 28 October in London. He was receiving treatment for an undisclosed illness. Cabinet Secretary Roland Msiska issued a statement that he died late in the day. "As you are aware the president was receiving medical attention in London. The head of state passed on October 28. President Sata's demise is deeply regretted. The nation will be kept informed on burial arrangements." When he died at 23:00 in King Edward VII Hospital, his wife, Christine Kaseba, son, Mulenga, and other family members were with him at the time. Vice-President Guy Scott was named acting leader until an election, making him the first white leader of a democratically elected African government and the first since F. W. de Klerk in Apartheid South Africa.
Kenneth Kaunda 2021
- Further information: State funeral of Kenneth Kaunda and Kenneth Kaunda
On 14 June 2021, Kaunda was admitted to Maina Soko Military Hospital in Lusaka to be treated for an undisclosed medical condition. The government said medics were doing everything they could to make him recover, though it was not clear what his health condition was. On 15 June 2021, it was revealed that he was being treated for pneumonia, which, according to his doctor, had been a recurring problem in his health. On 17 June 2021, it was confirmed that he died at the age of 97 after that short illness at Maina Soko Military Hospital. Kaunda's funeral took place at Lusaka Show Grounds on 2 July 2021, after his body had its last provincial visit. Ordinary citizens came out to show their last respects as they waved their white handkerchiefs in mourning, an item Kaunda carried with him when he was incarcerated during the struggle for liberation. During the state funeral, a 21-gun salute was given to the former president.
