Thread by @ZambianFactZone

Margaret Thatcher: "Hello, am Margaret but you can call me Maggie!"

Grey Zulu : "Hello, my name is Grey Zulu but you can call me Gile!"

#Zambia’s freedom fighter and former Vice-President Grey Zulu, left, has died, aged 95.

Nonagenarian, Alexander Grey Zulu, more familiarly known simply as Grey Zulu or Old Grey was born in Fort Jameson (modern-day #Chipata), Northern Rhodesia on 3rd September 1924 to Agrippa and Tionenji Zulu.

Old Grey did his lower education at Mafuta Lower Primary School, a rural education institution located in #Chipata. He then did his secondary education at Munali Secondary School, #Lusaka.

Career wise, Old Grey was an Assistant Water Development section, Northern Rhodesia from 1950-1953. Then moved to Kabwe to become a Bookkeeper/manager at #Kabwe Co-operative Society, 1953-1962. Parliamentary Secretary Northern Rhodesia, 1963.

While working as a Manager at Kabwe Co-operative Society, Old Grey met Mary, a school teacher. The two married in 1960 & together they have four sons & four daughters, although three of their male children have since died. They also have 23 grandchildren & 16 great grandchildren

Mrs Mary Zulu has a piece of advice to the many young Zambians aspiring to marriage in this article entitled "True love endures, tolerates all odds" the following link.

daily-mail.co.zm/true-love-endu…

Old Grey’s credentials as a freedom fighter are impeccable. Tracing his political apprenticeship to the days he served as District and Provincial leader from his base of Kabwe in Harry Mwaanga Nkumbula’s African National Congress(ANC).

It’s thanks to Old Grey that we can proudly talk of the Mulungushi Rock Of Authority which he discovered as a site suitable for conferences. Suffice it to say apart from #UNIP, major policy decisions were made from Mulungushi by liberation movements, notably #SWAPO🇳🇦 & #ANC🇿🇦.

To those who don't know, Mulungushi Rock of Authority is an isolated rock hill in Kabwe associated with major political gatherings. Since 1964,it has been regularly used by political parties for conventions. A national symbol, it is called "the birthplace of Zambian independence"

The rest is history, Old Grey was one of the 75 members of the National Assembly from 1964 until 1968 who constituted the first Cabinet of Zambia elected in January 1964. He was one of the 3 surviving members of that first cabinet, the other 2 being Kenneth Kaunda and Sikota Wina

After serving in several positions, he was appointed Minister of Commerce & Industry 1964; Minister of Transport & Works 1964; Minister of Mines & Cooperatives 1965–67; Minister of Home Affairs 1967–70; Minister of Defence 1970–73; among others.

In 1991 while serving as Secretary General of #UNIP, a position equivalent to vice president, Old Grey was Kenneth Kaunda's running mate in the 1991 Zambian general election of which they lost to the #MMD. He quit active politics the same year.

Old Grey's Bwacha House on house number E1376 Misuku Road in Bwacha Township in Kabwe was declared a national monument by the National Heritage Conservation Commission (NHCC). The Big Fig Tree and Bwacha House are the only national monuments in Kabwe.

#RIPGreyZulu

There has been recognition of Old Grey’s contribution to Zambia but a befitting honor had so far continued to elude him. Both Presidents Mwanawasa and Sata decorated him with the Order of the Eagle, the highest available to one who has not served as Head of State.

#RIPGreyZulu

A well deserved 3 days of national mourning was declared by President Lungu for Grey Zulu for his unmatched contribution to the liberation of Zambia from colonial rule.

Rest in peace our freedom fighter. #RIPGreyZulu

Old Grey has memoir entitled The Memoirs of Alexander Grey Zulu, you can read it here

books.google.co.zm/books/about/Th…