RB diagnosed with colon cancer

SIMON MUNTEMBA Writes@SunZambianFOURTH republican President, Rupiah Banda has been diagnosed with cancer of the colon and has asked Zambians to remember him in prayers.Mr Banda made the announcement through deputy administrative officer in the office of the fourth President Mr. Chibeza Mfune.In a statement issued by Mr Mfune, Mr Banda said he was been diagnosed with colon cancer.The 83 year old former head of State said he had decided to make it public because he realized that the Zambians who gave him the opportunity to lead the country deserve to know his health condition.“I have been moved to make this announcement taking into consideration that, although this is a personal and private matter which was actually only known by my relatives, including two sisters, Mrs Velesi Katema, Mrs Seba Zulu, my younger brother James Banda and my children here in Zambia and diaspora led by my eldest son James Banda, the Zambian people who honored me with the privilege to serve them as Head of State for which I will remain forever grateful and indebted, deserve to know that I have been diagnosed with cancer of the colon,” Mr Banda said.Mr Banda has however said he was conformed that he would fight the battle just as his wife Thandie did.He has since asked Zambians to remember him in prayers.“Most importantly as the nation will no doubt recall that I lost my first wife Hope Makulu Banda to cancer and as fate would have it, my wife Thandie Chilongo Banda is a cancer survivor.“Therefore, her counsel, encouragement and support born out of her own experience after having successfully battled this type of disease is a great source of inspiration and confort to me,” he said. The Sun