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Tribute to Albert Kayamba

This is the first tribute I am writing in memory of someone that I have worked with. This blog is a tribute to Albert M Kayamba (in photo to the left) who passed away at the age of 55 on 14th March 2012 after a short illness in Livingstone. The late Mr Kayamba had just retired from the civil service on 10th March 2012 where he faithfully served for thirty years in various capacities upto the position of Acting Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education, Science and Vocational Training. Mr Kayamba was born on 10th March 1957. One can imagine the shock of those that had worked with Mr Kayamba on the fateful day on 14th March when news began to filter of his demise. In my case I had travelled with Mr Kayamba with other Ministry staff on 7th March to Mumbwa where we had gone to formalise land that had been handed over by His Royal Highness Chief Moono for the construction of Mumbwa Trades Training Institute.

While in Mumbwa, Mr Kayamba then Director of Planning and Development, led the delegation and highlighted the purpose of the visit by the Ministry to the Mumbwa MP Dr Brian Chituwo, the District Commissioner and His Royal Highness. He also read a speech on behalf of the Permanent Secretary to His Royal Highness. Thereafter we visited the site for the Trades Training Institute (see photo below) together with Council officials. We then had late lunch and headed back to Lusaka.
His death then came as a great shock to his family. Here is a husband, dad and son just retired and just turned 55 with so many plans for his retirement. But before he can even get his retirement package he is snatched away from this life by death. May God comfort the family in ways that only He can. May God use this death to bring family members and former workmates to Christ the Prince of Peace.

During this visit and the few years that I worked with Mr Kayamba the following things I observed about him:

1. Punctuality: The late Mr Kayamba was punctual for meetings and wanted to do things on time and in time. This is a lesson to be taken to heart. For generally in Zambia and most of Africa punctuality and time keeping are not our strengths. If ever we are to

2. Dedication to duty: Mr Kayamba was dedicated to duty. Apart from the fact that he had dedicated 30 years of his life to working in public service, he worked hard and with dedication to whatever task he was assigned. He would ensure that minutes and reports were well written and circulated to everyone concerned.

3. Being a people person: Mr Kayamba (in the middle next to Chief Moono fourth from the left in photo below) ensured those that worked with him became friends with him. He was serious with his work and yet joked with those who worked with him despite their position. He was a boss that was not bossy!




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Unknown said…
Thank you so much Gabriel fro this tribute to my late father Mr Albert Kayamba,He was a very loving Kind flexible father we all really do miss him he taught us so much ,I miss him so much his jokes his hard work ,he would never rest except when he was not felling too well.
I remember on 10th march 2012 4 days before he passed we organised him a birthday / retirement party,the following day he left for livingstone and he gave us fuel for all our vehicles not knowing that was the last time we would see him not knowing the same fuel he left would help us with the logistics and to help us travel to livingstone where he died .Thank you lord for his life and continue to bless us and those who where close to him.
I love you dad.
November 13, 2013 at 3:37 AM
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