Over the years, I’ve had the rare privilege of meeting four of Zambia’s seven presidents. Each encounter came at a different stage of my life each one, unforgettable in its own way..
Dr. Kenneth Kaunda.. The Founding Father
When I was young, I dreamt that one day I would meet the man who built Zambia. That dream came true during an Olympic qualifier at Independence Stadium.. Zambia versus Ghana.
Before the match, our captain Simukonda was introducing the players to the President. But before he could even say my name, Dr. Kaunda smiled and said:
“Welcome back home, Charles.”
I laughed, and the captain added, “This is Charles Musonda, Mr. President.”
“Yes, he’s back home,”
That moment still lives in me. I even juggled the ball for him 🤣. And who could forget the sight of the presidential motorcade leaving the stadium before the final whistle? ❤️🙏🏾
Mr. Rupiah Banda.. The Gentleman
I met Mr. Banda very early in my career, when I was first called up to the national team. He was instrumental in helping me board that plane to Belgium.. a turning point in my life. At the time, he was Vice-Chairman. One evening, he visited our hotel with two of his eldest sons. They brought along video cassettes.. one of them was Michael Jackson’s Thriller.
We stayed up all night watching it together. I was sharing a room with ba Vincent Chileshe, and others whose faces I still see in memory. That night felt magical ❤️🙏🏾
Dr. Frederick Chiluba.. The Moment of Grief.. Our meeting came under painful circumstances. We were camped at the Intercontinental Hotel in Lusaka after the Gabon air disaster that claimed our entire national team and crew.. Mystery.
President Chiluba came to speak to us. Emotions were raw.. the atmosphere heavy. The meeting didn’t go as I expected, but I understood. He was speaking through grief, we all were.
We came from the same region, and that connection remained quietly comforting.
Later, I learned something that made me smile.. during the MMD last campaign, they had used the speakers from my disco setup, the ones I brought from Belgium, I only discovered this recently.. “The time has come” echoed even my wife attended those rallies before we met ❤️🙏🏾
Mr. Hakainde Hichilema.. A Doorway Encounter 🤣 My meeting with HH was pure chance. It was in 2016 at Barclays Bank, Ridgeway Hotel.
As I was leaving the bank, someone was entering and I didn’t hold the door. My wife looked at me and said.. Did you see the man in the blue suit who just passed you ?That’s HH. I couldn’t believe it. I turned and said, “No, I must wait for him.”
When he came out, I approached him:
“Excuse me, sir.”
He smiled. Oh Charles, I saw you coming out.. I replied, yes I came to apologize. I didn’t hold the door for you.. it’s unlike me. We both laughed. It was a short, sincere exchange, a moment of respect and humility. My wife’s niece took a photo that day. I hope she still has it 🤣❤️
Mr. Edgar Chagwa Lungu.. The Missed Moment.. I almost met President Lungu. I had traveled to Lusaka with my boss for a private visit. He was scheduled to meet ECL around 23:00 at our place, but the meeting was moved to State House.
I thought twice about joining then decided not to, I wasn’t part of the meeting..
I told myself, We’ll meet another time, when it’s right. That time never came ❤️🙏🏾
Those I Never Met
I never had the honor of meeting Levy Mwanawasa, though my wife knows his family very well.. proud people from the friendly city. Nor did I meet Michael Sata, a man of deep conviction. Both remarkable leaders in their own right ❤️🙏🏾
Looking back, I feel deeply grateful to have met four of the seven presidents who’ve guided Zambia since independence.
Am sure some Zambians have experience of meeting all of them with their genuine true stories ❤️
Each meeting carried its own lesson.. humility, leadership, kindness, and fate.
A privilege I’ll always cherish.
Cheers… Simple truths. ❤️🙏🏾
