‘Embrace the Madiba legacy’

Zambian President Edgar Lungu has called on world leaders to uphold and honour the legacy of Nelson Mandela which was anchored on his principles and values of peace, reconciliation, tolerance, and respect of human rights, the Lusaka Times reported yesterday.

Addressing the 73rd United Nations (UN) General Assembly in New York at the Nelson Mandela Peace Summit, Lungu said “love, peace, and forgiveness” should continue to be at the core in seeking sustained global peace.

The Zambian president said that Mandela had proved to the world that healing was possible and that reconciliation should remain at the centre of human development.

Lungu further told the international leaders gathered at the UN assembly that his country had previously been home to many of South Africa’s freedom fighters apart from hosting the ANC from 1963 to 1994.

The ANC had based its headquarters in the Zambian capital Lusaka and the country, as one the frontline states, had actively contributed towards ending apartheid minority rule in South Africa leading to the eventual release from prison of Mandela.