…Committed to justice, worked for others, energetic
Former First Lady Dr. Maureen Mwanawasa, who was laid to rest yesterday, has been variously described as hardworking, energetic, and committed to the pursuit of justice.
At the burial service, President Hakainde Hichilema said Maureen was an active person and used her energy to help others. He said she had achieved much in her short life, just as her husband former President Levy Mwanawasa had done.
He described her as a vibrant, compassionate individual who dedicated her energy and diverse talents to supporting the vulnerable and disadvantaged in the communities through numerous charitable initiatives.
“She embodied decency, hard work, and resilience; always seeking solutions in the face of challenges,” he said.
Family representative Patson Kakubo said his late sister was an inspiration to many in society, and pursued justice.
Kabuko recalled that that through her community work, she built a school in Kapiri Mposhi, which his son, Stanley Kakubo, attended and he is now a member of Parliament representing that constituency.
Historian and political commentator Sishuwa Sishuwa published a letter to the late former First Lady and spoke of her many attributes and achievements. “Your lived experience teaches us that the relevance of death lies in its impact on those that live. You played your part. You loyally and diligently served your homeland.”
Dr. Mwanawasa was instrumental in effecting laws criminalizing sexual offenses against children and women. Upset that the police treated these crimes as domestic matters, under-reporting and trivializing them, she boldly stated that she’d murder anyone who defiled her child because sexual abuse of children is evil and damages a child’s life. Her push for this to be taken seriously culminated in sexual crimes being treated more seriously and existing laws against sexual offenses being better effected.
She represented many social causes and was associated with various humanitarian organizations, including the Breakthrough Cancer Trust and Habitat for Humanity. She also worked to alleviate poverty among women in Southern Province through livestock.
She died on August 13, six days shy of her late husband’s 16th memorial, and was buried on August 19, exactly 16 years the day President Mwanawasa died. It was also on this day that she graduated from law school.
