Leave in peace, ZA delegates tell Mpondela
By Cecilia Nayame
SOME delegates to last Saturday’s botched Zambia Athletics (ZA) elective annual general meeting (AGM) have advised the association’s former president Elias Mpondela to leave in peace.
And there was mixed emotions as Mpondela bid farewell to the association after serving for 27 years at the helm as president.
Speaking in separate interviews, the delegates said they were tired of the confusion that characterised the Mpondela-led executive.
“We know it is not easy to leave such a position where he dedicated himself wholeheartedly. But for the sake of peace as well as that of the athletes, we humbly appeal to he [Mpondela] should leave the association in peace.
“As he leaves, he should live together with his confusion because we don’t want to experience such ever again…we have endured enough,” one of the delegates said.
Another delegate, who only identified himself as Kayula, said they had nothing personal against Mpondela but that his leadership at times forced them to react negatively.
“We know people might think we have personal issues against him [Mpondela] but that is not the case. All we want is never to see him near the association. We are grateful for all he has done for athletics,” he said.
Meanwhile, many delegates including those who served in Mpondela’s executive shed tears as he gave his farewell speech as ZA president.
Maureen Kolomwe, the immediate past vice secretary, wept uncontrollably as she hugged her former boss.
It had to take another executive member to comfort her as she was taken to her seat.
“It is my time now to leave the stage as my executive will now be officially dissolved. I would like to say thank you so much for all the support I have received since I took over this role [ZA president],” said Mpondela.
He said he had ensured some challenges in his journey as ZA president which did not only affect him personally but also his family.
“I have been insulted, right, centre and left but I always stood on one scripture which even today, I will use as my closing scripture as I step down the stairs.
“2 Timothy 4 vs 7-8…yes, I have run my race, I have fought a good fight even though I am not dying today because that’s what the scripture says. I still have a lot to contribute to the sport,” he said.
He urged those he might have been in conflict with over his leadership to always remember to preach love no matter the situation.
He said hatred does not build as it only leads to destruction.
“To all those who hate me, I have forgiven you because your insults made me strong. It made me to live by my dreams on a daily basis and because of that dream, today I have made sure that I leave the association on greater heights,” he added.
