(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
