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Zambia President Michael Sata: State funeral held | Zambia President Michael Sata: State funeral held |
(about 9 hours later) | |
Zambia has held a state funeral for President Michael Sata, who died last month aged 77 after receiving treatment for an undisclosed illness in a UK hospital. | |
Tens of thousands of people attended the Catholic Mass at the National Heroes Stadium in the capital, Lusaka. | |
Regional leaders were amongst those who came to pay their respects. | |
Known as "King Cobra" for his venomous tongue, Mr Sata was elected Zambia's president in 2011. | Known as "King Cobra" for his venomous tongue, Mr Sata was elected Zambia's president in 2011. |
The country is now being run by an acting president, and fresh elections are expected in January. | The country is now being run by an acting president, and fresh elections are expected in January. |
'Dance with my father' | |
The BBC's Dennis Okari in Lusaka says when the coffin of the late president was brought into the stadium there was a deafening wailing. | |
A moving and emotional ceremony followed, he says. | |
One of the president's children, Gerald Sata, sang Dance with my father, written by US soul singer Luther Vandross. | |
His widow, Christine Sata, also spoke. | |
"I am not sure whether you are able to hear all the great things your people are saying about you," she said. | |
Our reporter says there was thunderous applause when she ended her tribute with the words: "Farewell my president, go well oh my love, rest in true peace." | |
Over the past week, members of the public have paid their respects to their former leader - streaming past Mr Sata's body as it lay in state at the Mulungushi International Conference Center. | Over the past week, members of the public have paid their respects to their former leader - streaming past Mr Sata's body as it lay in state at the Mulungushi International Conference Center. |
His death came days after Zambia celebrated the 50th anniversary of independence from the UK. | His death came days after Zambia celebrated the 50th anniversary of independence from the UK. |
He was the second Zambian president to die in office. | He was the second Zambian president to die in office. |
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