Zambia’s stunning Presidential Memorial site should be a priority among your to-visit-list, whether you are a visitor or resident. Embassy Park is the first official burial and memorial site for Zambian Presidents. The site is hence easily accessible by road, within Lusaka city, along Independence Avenue in the Longacres area. The Presidential Memorial site has three mausoleums where three former and late presidents of the Republic of Zambia are buried. These are namely; Fredrick T.J. Chiluba, Levy P. Mwanawasa and Michael C. Sata.
Unique features of the Presidential Memorial site
The mausoleum for each president is also uniquely built with features that represent things which each president is often remembered. Both Presidents Levy Mwanawasa and Michael Sata died whilst they were still in office. In contrast, Fredrick Chiluba died as a former president after he had completed two consecutive terms in office. The Presidential Memorial site reflects this.
Levy Patrick Mwanawasa
President Mwanawasa (Born: 3rd September 1948, Died: 19th August 2008). He was the third Republican President and the first to be laid to rest at Embassy Park in 2008. Furthermore, Mwanawasa’s mausoleum is built in the shape of a stool. This was due to him being the first president of Zambia to have died as a sitting president. The mausoleum has four pillars around it which are boot-shaped. This denotes the commitment that Mwanawasa had towards stamping out corruption. He stayed committed to this fight until his death.
The Eight steps
There are eight steps leading to the entrance of Mwanawasa’s mausoleum. First of all, the first five steps are wide, which represent the five years of the first full-term served. In contrast, the next three steps are narrow representing the two and a half years of the second term. This is because had completed these years when he passed on. Mwanawasa was born on 3rd September 1948. He was, therefore, buried on what would have been his 60th Birthday, on 3rd September 2008. This is the first mausoleum you will see when you visit Zambia’s stunning Presidential Memorial site.
Fredrick Titus Jacob Chiluba
President Chiluba (Born: 30th April 1943, Died: 18th June 2011) was the second Republican President of Zambia. He was the first former Head of State to be laid to rest at the Presidential Memorial Park. His mausoleum is in the design of a chapel, which has a cross (symbol of Christianity) on top. This is because he was the President that declared Zambia as a Christian Nation on 29th December 1991.
The mausoleum also has 10 pillars around it to represent the number of years that Chiluba served. This was two full consecutive terms of five years each. The 10 pillars also denote the commitment to unite the southern African region. He demonstrated this in operations such as initiating peace talks in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Mausoleum external features
On the roof of the mausoleum, just below the cross, there is also a small structure representing a house. This is styled like a village thatch-roofed house. It due to one of the things he will be remembered for, his commitment to empowering the Zambians with housing. A most noteworthy initiative during his tenure was the development of the Bennie Mwiinga housing project in Lusaka. Fredrick Chiluba was also famed for his elegant sense of fashion and exquisite dress style. Likewise, the entrance to his mausoleum has a ramp shaped like a necktie.
Michael Chilufya Sata
President Sata (Born: 6th July 1937, Died: 28th October 2014). He was the fifth Republican President and also the second sitting president to be buried at the Presidential Memorial site. Most noteworthy, his Mausoleum is designed in the style of King Solomon’s Temple, Jerusalem. The temple design furthermore denotes the massive infrastructure development that President Sata embarked on during his tenure in office. Inside, there are also 10 pillars which represent the 10 provinces of Zambia. This is because he created the 10th province of the country, Muchinga Province.
Commitment to 10 Commandments
On the upper part of the internal walls, the 10 Commandments from the Bible are written in English and Arabic. It’s due to President Sata’s pronouncement that he would rule Zambia using the 10 Commandments. This pronouncement was, most importantly, made just after he was inaugurated as President. Also present is a portrait of Sata at St Ignatius Catholic Church on the day he made the pronouncement.
Developments
Across the hall on a similar position as the portrait, are also pictures of some of the ambitious infrastructure projects. They were constructed under Sata’s infrastructure development, which includes the Michael Chilufya Sata Hospital, Mpika District. It was named consequently in honour of the late President Sata himself. Similarly the Mongu-Kalabo Bridge, in Western Province, was constructed under the same policy.
Mausoleum external features
On the outside of the mausoleum, there is a stairway leading to the temple upper level. This, therefore, gives a bird’s eye view of the inside of Sata’s mausoleum and the park. It provides a vantage point where one can take great photos as they visit Zambia’s stunning Presidential Memorial site. Undoubtedly this would be an addition to unique memorabilia. The steps of the stairway have written on them 29 districts that were created also under his leadership as president.
The 29 districts
| Chembe | Chisamba | Lunga | Mwansabombwe | Pemba | Sioma |
| Chibombo | Chitambo | Manyinga | Nalolo | Shibuyunji | Rufunsa |
| Chilanga | Limulunga | Mitete | Ngabwe | Shiwang’andu | Vubwi |
| Chipili | Luano | Mulobezi | Nkeyema | Sikongo | Zimba |
| Chirundu | Lumpa | Mwandi | Nsama | Sinda |
What You Should Prepare for the Visit
Embassy Park is a presidential memorial site where great leaders that contributed to the development of Zambia. Most noteworthy is how each contributed in their own ways, as seen in the structures. Therefore a visit to this important site is unforgettable and will get you in touch with Zambia’s rich history. Furthermore, to mark such a memorable day in one’s life, you surely need to get a good resolution camera. This is so you can capture vivid images of you and your family and friends during the tour.
Timings and costs
Firstly the site is open to the public daily from 08:30 hours to 16:30 hours. An entry charged at the gate of USD15 for adults and also USD8 for children applies to foreign tourists. Likewise, a charge of ZMW8 for adults and ZMW2 for children that applies to citizens visiting the site. The amount paid also includes a tour guide who takes you around the Park. This includes showing and explaining the different features of the mausoleum and what they symbolize in detail.
Things to Watch Out for
One must take care when taking photographs as you visit Zambia’s stunning Presidential Memorial site. It is opposite the Cabinet Office and the Cenotaph, adjacent to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and also various embassies. You are prohibited from photographing public official buildings. You, additionally, are prohibited from stepping on the black granite stones that cover the actual graves of the late presidents. This is another measure to preserve the beauty of the site apart from general maintenance.
Rich history
The Embassy Presidential Memorial site is another great site that preserves the history of Zambia. The great things the three former Heads of State achieved are well noted during the tour. They also each had something they stood for which they are remembered. These are, furthermore, well represented in the designs of each mausoleum. A visit to Embassy Park is, therefore, a pleasant experience you cannot afford to miss.