Former Zambian President Kenneth Kaunda move Mandela mourners with a light hearted vote of thanks

Former Zambian President Kenneth Kaunda moves a vote of thanks in Qunu Sunday.  [PHOTO: AFP]

By ROSELYNE OBALA

SOUTH AFRICA: Guests who turned up for Nelson Mandela’s final send-off in Qunu, South Africa Sunday enjoyed the enthusiastic vote of thanks given by former Zambian President Kenneth Kaunda.

Though it was an emotional funeral service, Kaunda’s eulogy of the departed African icon lightened the otherwise sombre event as he recounted the journey to South Africa’s liberation.

He caused laughter from the onset when he surprised many mourners as he ran to the dais to give his brief vote of thanks.

He began by leading in a song dedicated to Mandela but along the way, abandoned the song. “Yeah you have forgotten.”

He immediately wasted no time in reminding the apartheid government of the despicable and shameless treatment it subjected Mandela and his colleagues in the quest for freedom.

“I had a chance to meet a number of friends of the ‘boer’ company. I spent three nights with former Prime Minister JohnVorster on a train, across River Zambezi; we were there for three nights.”

He continued, “I asked him, please release Nelson Mandela and his colleagues and come together and discuss the future of SA. It came to nothing.”

He continued, “Then came another ‘boer’ leader, I think he was called ‘PW Botha.”

A thunderous laughter was heard especially when Kaunda made reference to the apartheid-era national party.

Kaundu explained his role in pressing for the release of Mandela and his colleagues; he explained his meeting with Botha. “Same trend, this time between Botswana and South Africa. I urged him to release Mandela and his colleagues and discuss the future of SA together, all members of this country. I didn’t succeed and it also came to nothing.”

He continued, “Then came my meeting with Fredrick de Clerk, he was not the prime minister yet but the Solicitor General, and, after a few hours, I called a press conference where I said ‘I think I can do business with this man’.

He received applause from the crowd, “Thank goodness De Clerk became PM and released this great man (Mandela) the whole world not only South Africans are celebrating his life.