South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa wiped a tear, and so did his Kenyan counterpart Uhuru Kenyatta. Even with masks, their grief was still visible.
They were seating with other grieving African leaders in the stands awaiting their turn to view the body of Zambia’s founding father Kenneth “Kk” Kaunda.
The seating arrangement took into account Covid-19 protection protocols – the presidents were social distancing.
It was a solemn Friday.
Many African leaders and diplomats braved the virus to pay their last respects to the much loved and respected statesman.
Kaunda died aged 97 on 17 June after a short illness.
Zambia President Edgar Lungu led the procession of leaders from the stands of the Lusaka Show Grounds to a marquee, where Kaunda lay in a coffin.
Kenyatta, Mozambique President Filipe Nyusi, Namibia President Hage Geingob, Ghana President Nana Akufo-Addo, Ramaphosa, and Zimbabwe President Emmerson Mnangagwa were among the leaders who viewed the body.
They all peered into the coffin and made a bow before making their way on a red carpet to their seats.
Apart from the heavily armed guards outside the marquee, the leaders walked the 100 metres or so alone on the red carpet without their usual posse of bodyguards.
All the leaders spoke in glowing terms of the guitar-playing president who helped Africa free itself from colonialism.
“Dr. Kenneth Kaunda was a loyal friend of the people of South Africa. He stood by us during our long and bitter struggle against the oppressive apartheid government,” said Ramaphosa.
“Even as the brutal apartheid regime sought to wreak havoc in the frontline states in its efforts to destroy the liberation movement Dr. Kaunda stood firm and never wavered in his support for the people of South Africa and the people of our region.
“Zambia provided us with material and moral support and gave refuge to our leaders and those who had been forced into exile from our country”
Then there was the white handkerchief that Kaunda always carried. It was his trademark.
Mourners were seen waving white handkerchiefs at the state funeral.
Dr. Kaunda’s teachings on compassion, empathy and dignity are Africa’s gift to humankind.
The humanist was expected to be interred at the presidential burial site in the capital on Wednesday, 7 July.
