PRESIDENT Michael Chilufya Sata who died on October 28 2014, did not only belong to Zambia, he belonged to Africa as a whole and to the downtrodden masses of the world.
Not only was he a charismatic leader, he was a staunch Pan-Africanist who burst onto the political scene as a populist championing the causes of the poor.
His affection for President Robert Mugabe also made him, in the eyes of the West ‘unpopular’.
During the 2006 election campaign, he was reported to have said of Zimbabwean President Mugabe that:
“Mugabe hasn’t done anything wrong.
“It is the imperialists, the capitalist-roaders, who say he is a villain.”
This is why there are desperate attempts particularly from the Western media to overshadow his demise through their shameless propping up of his deputy, Guy Scott, a Scottish born white Zambian. 
But then Sata did not die.
He was a revolutionary and revolutionaries do not die.
They fade away.
And this is Michael Sata, the revolutionary that Africa gave.
This is Sata, the Pan-Africanist colonialism created.
This is Sata, Africa’s towering flame of emancipation.
This is the reality that Sata, together with the likes of President Mugabe gave and still give.
Disappointingly and far away from the grieving Zambians, Africans and the progressive world, lurks the shadow of one Scott, threatening to take the flame away from this our African son.
Scott is woefully detached from the realities of the African culture, norms and values.
Even before Sata has been laid to rest, Scott was already wreaking havoc, hiring and firing people.
This is not how we do it in Africa.
We respect our departed and we give them the honour they deserve.
Sata stood up for unity and progress of the people of Zambia.
When he was unanimously chosen as the PF’s candidate for the presidential by-election at a meeting of its Central Committee on August 30 2008, he raised an important point.
Accepting the nomination, he expressed the need ‘to scrub this country and wash it’.
He was washing it from the late Levy Mwanawasa’s capitalistic policies. 
In 2008, he said that he would revoke licences for foreign investors if they resisted his orders to give at least a 25 percent stake in their companies to Zambians.
Consistency was his biggest attribute.
At his inauguration as President of Zambia, Sata assured foreign investors that they are welcome in his country, Africa’s biggest copper producer, but said they must improve conditions for their Zambian employees.
The late president is remembered for his, unapologetic political style—which earned him the nickname ‘King Cobra’ among his colleagues and opponents—as well as his efforts to increase tax revenues from the country’s lucrative copper mining sector and prevent the exploitation of Zambia at the hands of foreign investors.
Below is what other leaders said about him:
President Robert Mugabe
“We have lost one of our outstanding leaders, President Michael Sata.
“Zambia and Zimbabwe are geographical twins, and what happens across the river-good news, bad news-we rejoice if its good news, we share sorrow on this bad news, and so there is that reciprocation, you know the twin relationship.
“The legacy he left behind shall continue to inspire multitudes for generations. We would like to assure the people of Zambia that we are with them in spirit during this difficult moment in the history of their country as they mourn the loss of their democratically elected President.”
Former Zambia President Rupiah Banda
“Sata was more than a public servant.
“He was a passionate competitor, a man of conviction and determination.
“He was also a loving son, a husband, a father, and to me, despite everything we’ve been through, a friend.
“Above all, Michael Sata was a Zambian, in body, soul, and spirit.
“We have gone through this before as a country and we made it to the other side because we were united.
“Let this be a time that we set aside the ideas that separate us, and embrace the humanity and dignity that unite us as a country and defines us as a people.”
Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta 
“Sata was an outstanding son of Africa.
“He was gifted with unique, admirable abilities and strong values.”
Mark Chona, former special assistant to Kenneth Kaunda, independent Zambia’s First President,
“We are very devastated because he was a very hard working and committed president and leader.
“He was extremely passionate about anything he had decided to achieve.”
South African Government
“President Sata belongs to the generation of leaders produced by Zambia during the colonial times and gallantly pursued the anti-colonial struggle.
“His death reminds the people of South Africa of Zambia’s immeasurable sacrifice and the sterling leadership role that Zambia played in ridding the African continent of the yoke of colonial domination and apartheid rule.”
Britain’s Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond 
“Sata played a commanding role in the public life of his country over three decades…and finally as president.”
Go well President Sata, history will be your best friend forever and ever.