A Hero Dies

With the death of Zambian President Levy Mwanawasa Africa loses a respected and progressive leader. No better epitaph for Mwanawasa exists than his own words regarding the debacle in Zimbabwe


"What is happening in Zimbabwe is a matter of serious embarrassment to all of us. It is scandalous for the SADC [Southern African Development Community] to remain silent in the light of what is happening..."

During his last election, which was hotly contested against the populist xenophobe Michael Sata, Mwanawasa took issue with Sata's call to expel the Chinese, Indian and Lebanese business community. Mwanawasa understood that the rising prosperity in Zambia had more to do with the increases in global copper prices and that the foreigners were a critical component of Zambia's economic life.