President Hakainde Hichilema has declared an official funeral for Former First Lady Dr. Maureen Mwanawasa, who passed away on Tuesday, August 13, 2024. In recognition of her significant contributions to the nation during her tenure from 2002 to 2008, August 19, 2024, has been designated as a day of national mourning in her honor.
Dr. Maureen Mwanawasa will be laid to rest at Leopards Hill Memorial Park in Lusaka, where she will join her late husband, President Levy Mwanawasa, in eternal rest. This poignant moment coincides with the memorial of her husband’s passing, symbolizing the enduring bond they shared in life and service to Zambia.
The funeral proceedings will begin with a church service at the Anglican Cathedral of the Holy Cross at 10:00 hours. Secretary to the Cabinet, Patrick Kangwa, emphasized that during the national mourning period, all entertainment activities on radio and television will be suspended from 06:00 to 18:00 hours, and flags will be flown at half-mast as a mark of respect.
As the nation prepares to bid farewell to a woman who played a pivotal role during a critical period in Zambia’s history, the overlapping of her burial with her husband’s memorial underscores the deep connection between their lives and legacies.