African Peers Observe a Moment of Silence in honor of Dr. Mwananyanda Mbikusita-Lewanika, as his students and admirers mourn his Passing File Picture: Dr. Mwananyanda Lewanika addressing the Third Meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety (13-17 March 2006, Curitiba, Brazil) As Barotseland, Zambia and the African continent learn of his passing, messages of condolences continue to pour in honor of this humble but fine prince of Barotseland. Ephraim Mwepya Shitima reports that the African group of negotiators currently preparing for COP-12 under Biodiversity Conference in Pyeongchang, Korea, observed a moment of silence in Honour of Dr. Lewanika and projected his photo on the screen “..I was humbled moments ago by African negotiators who knew him, I just announced his demise to them just before lunch but (the) team demanded his image (be) projected (on the screen) and also observed a moment of silence!” posted Ephraim on this story of Dr. Mwananyandas passing on social media in great admiration of Dr. Lewanika. Ephraim, who knew Dr. Lewanika very well, and who is currently attending The Seventh Meeting of COPM/MOP on Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety further lamented that his passing was ill - timed and, therefore,very touching. Another admirer, Enock Siankwilimba lamented on how we have lost a fountain of wisdom in the prince of Barotseland, as hundreds of other messages of condolences pour out for the humble prince. A Little About Dr. Mwananyanda Kaluwe Lewanika? Dr. Mwananyanda Mbikusita-Lewanika was born a twin, with Kusiyo, at Wusakile, Nkana-Kitwe, Zambia on Sunday morning of 28th September 28, 1952, as the seventh child of Imutakwandu (the late) Litunga Lewanika the second, King of Barotseland (1968 – 1977) Besides being Prince and son of the late king of Barotseland, Dr. Lewanika was lately serving on the staff of the Open University (of Zambia) and as founder director of STEM (an initiative to enhance Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics in the Education System in order to implement the Africa Science and Technology Plan of Action of the African Union). He also served as Executive Director of the National Scientific and Research Council/National Institute of Scientific and Industrial Research as well as the founding president of the Zambia Academy of Sciences. On the continent, Dr. Mwananyanda Mbikusita-Lewanika was a leading member of fact finding mission team of scientists that spearheaded the determination of national consensus and policy direction on genetically modified foods as well as chairperson; Southern African Development Community (SADC) advisory committee on biotechnology and biosafety; National task force for the containment of polio viruses; and national steering committee on intellectual property and genetic resources, traditional knowledge and folklore. He also served as vice-chairperson, intergovernmental committee of intellectual property and genetic resources, traditional knowledge and folklore of the world intellectual property organization. He died yesterday the morning of 4th October 2014. Meanwhile, family spokesperson Dr. Akashambatwa Mbikusita – Lewanika has announced that although the funeral gathering is at Mukola House, Limulunga Royal Homestead, Mongu-Lealui in Barotseland, Lusaka-based family members and friends are also gathering at the home of Lundambuyu Munalula on Plot Number 33, Lake Road, Woodlands, Lusaka Zambia, and that further details of the funeral & burial shall be announced in due course. - See more at: barotsepost/index.php/en/frontnews/local-news/903-dr-mwananyanda-mbikusita-lewanika-african-peers-observe-a-moment-of-silence-in-his-honor-as-his-students-and-admirers-mourn-his-passing#sthash.ScmmMMl9.dpuf
Posted on: Sun, 05 Oct 2014 10:08:31 +0000
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