This morning (yesterday), the 29th of October 2018, the Socialist Party received with sadness the news of the passing away of Mama Chibesa Kankasa, a great revolutionary and patriot of our people. Our deepest condolences to the family, relatives, comrades and friends.
The Socialist Party is overcome with a deep sense of sadness on the sudden passing on of the independence struggle and nation building stalwart Mama Kankasa.
Mama Kankasa epitomized the struggles of the poor, the women and the disenfranchised.
While the family has lost a mother, a grand-mother and a great grand-mother, the country has lost an irreplaceable leader, a role model and a constant reminder of dedication and selflessness. She embodied grace and humility.
In her leadership role she gave guidance to young activists and leaders of progressive organisations and many women’s organisations throughout the country. She did not only give political guidance but she was also a mother figure to all. It was a combination of these two qualities, political and parental roles that made her most admired and loved.
To us she has left huge footprints that tracks our history of suffering, and resilience under immeasurable harassment and dehumanisation under British colonialism.
As Zambians we owe it to this pedigree of revolutionaries who defined the course and tempo of our struggle to free ourselves from colonialism and neocolonialism.
Indeed we can without equivocation say that as Zambians, we today enjoy the independence
because of her selfless contribution.
We would like to convey our condolences to her family, comrades and friends.

May her Soul rest in peace.

Statement issued by Dr Fred M’membe on behalf of the Politburo of the Socialist Party.