Zambia Announces Funeral Arrangements and National Mourning for Veteran Politician Matiya Ngalande

The Government of Zambia has announced funeral arrangements and a Day of National Mourning for Hon. Matiya Ngalande, the veteran politician and freedom fighter who died in Lusaka on Wednesday 11th February aged 93.

Ngalande will be laid to rest on Monday 16th February at Leopards Hill Memorial Park, with the burial preceded by an Official Funeral Church Service at the Anglican Cathedral of the Holy Cross at 10:00 hours.

President Hakainde Hichilema has declared Monday 16th February a Day of National Mourning to be observed from 06:00 to 18:00 hours. During this period, all entertainment programmes are to be postponed and flags must fly at half-mast.

The President accorded Ngalande an Official Funeral in recognition of his numerous contributions to the nation. A funeral gathering is currently being held at his residence at House No. 7, Pendela Road, off Kasanugla Road, Roma Township, Lusaka.

Ngalande's political career spanned decades and multiple governments. He served as Minister of State for Luapula Province in 1968 under the United National Independence Party (UNIP) government, before being appointed Cabinet Minister for Northern Province in 1975. He later served as Deputy Minister in the Movement for Multi-party Democracy (MMD) government between 1991 and 1996, holding portfolios in the Office of the Vice President and the Ministries of Community Development and Social Welfare, and Communications and Transport.

The press statement was issued by Secretary to the Cabinet, Patrick K. Rangwa.