Ghanaians in Zambia - A Tribute to the late Michael Chilufya Sata

(Ode to the late, His Excellency Michael Chilufya Sata, Republican President of the Republic of Zambia - A Tribute by Kwesi Atta Sakyi, on behalf of Ghanaian residents in Zambia)

Lusaka, 11th November, 2014

Zambia’s Stolen Dream

Zambia once fell into a deep sleep

A Rip van Winkle-like sleep which was steep

But there was neither dream nor dreamer

She had nightmares, hallucinations, and apparitions

Of rape and abuse

She needed a rescuer and Sangoma

Then came a redeemer in Michael’s magic,

He had once sailed the seven seas in a steamer

And had had wonderful dreams galore abroad

He had admired the rich natural bounties of his native country

And saw the potential of making her a great performer

For 53 years of his 77 years of earthly sojourn,

He ardently strove to fulfill his dream for his country

He enjoyed the natural bonanzas

Of breams in the Kafue

Tigerfish in the mighty Zambezi

Hippopotamuses in the Luangwa

Crocodiles in the Lusemfwa and Kabompo

Bottleneck fish in the Luapula and Chambeshi

And indeed, minerals and precious stones of diverse

Hues which abound in gargantuan quantities in the bowels of her land

Once on the throne of power

He stood on the Mulungushi Rock of Authority

And actualized his cherished dreams for all

He constructed numerous macadamized arterial roads of excellence,

Universities across the length and breadth of the country

Teemless houses for the masses

Well-equipped hospitals amidst countless infrastructure

He revived extinct railway lines like Zambia Railways,

Mulobezi railway, Mulungushi commuter,

Chipata-Muchinji railway line- you name it

He opened up dormant factories

And constructed magnificent bridges to span mighty rivers,

Alas, death has stolen Zambia’s beautiful dream

Zambia has woken up dazed

Her dreamer had left

As if in a bad dream

Like Julius Caesar,

Michael came, he saw, he conquered

Like Peter the Great of Russia,

Michael engineered ingenious and novel state reforms

But on 28th October 2014, it was not to be

He joined the pantheon of Great African ancestors

Let his clear vision remind and imbue us with hindsight

Let his good deeds give us foresight for a better future

Let all Africa know

There was once in Zambia

A man of action, full of passion for the good of his people

The only lion-hearted leader

Michael Chilufya Sata

Chilufya was a leader, not a dealer

May his soul rest in eternal peace

Fare thee well, our dream leader

Michael Chilufya Sata,

Adieu, Man of Action fame,

The best dream Zambia ever had

The best success story that will linger on in our minds

And resonate and reverberate across Africa

For many years to come

By Kwesi Atta Sakyi

Lusaka, 11th November, 2014