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{{Infobox cemetery
{{Infobox cemetery
| name                = Embassy Park Presidential Burial
| name                = Embassy Park Presidential Burial
| image              =Embassy Park Presidential Burial 1.png  
| image              = Embassy Park Presidential Burial 1.png
| imagesize          =
| caption            = Presidential Burial site poster.
| alt                =
| caption            =Presidential Burial site poster.  
| map_type            =
| map_size            =
| map_caption        =
| established        = 2008
| country            = [[Zambia]]
| country            = [[Zambia]]
| location            = Independence Ave, [[Lusaka]]
| location            = Independence Ave, [[Lusaka]]
| coordinates         =  
| established         = 2008
| type                =[[Cemetery]]
| style              =
| owner              = [[National Heritage Conservation Commission|NHCC]]
| owner              = [[National Heritage Conservation Commission|NHCC]]
| size               =
| type               = [[Cemetery]]
| graves              = 3
| graves              = 5
| interments          =
| cremations          =
| leases              =
| website            =
| findagrave          =
| political          =
}}
}}


'''Embassy Park Presidential Burial''' site or simply '''Embassy Park''' is the first and offical [[Cemetery|burial place]] for [[Zambia]]’s [[President of Zambia|presidents]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|last=milimomainza|date=2020-02-04|title=Zambia’s Stunning Presidential Memorial Site {{!}} 3 Presidents|url=https://enjoyzambia.com/zambias-stunning-presidential-memorial-site/|url-status=live|access-date=2021-07-05|website=enjoyzambia.com|language=en-GB}}</ref> The site was declared as [[Monuments and Historic Sites of Zambia|National Monument]] in 2009.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Embassy Park Presidential Burial Site|url=https://nhcc.org.zm/project/embassy-park-presidential-burial-site/|access-date=2021-07-05|website=National Heritage Conservation Commission|language=en-US}}</ref>
'''Embassy Park Presidential Burial Site''', also known as '''Embassy Park''', is the official burial ground for Zambia's presidents. It is located in Lusaka, the country’s capital city. The site was formally recognised as a national monument in 2009, in honour of its national, historical, and cultural significance.
 
The park is the final resting place for Zambia’s former presidents, including [[Kenneth Kaunda]], [[Frederick Chiluba]], [[Levy Mwanawasa]], [[Rupiah Banda]], and [[Michael Sata]]. It commemorates Zambia's political legacy and is a symbolic location for reflection on the contributions of past leaders.
 
Embassy Park is open to the public and has become a place of remembrance and national education. Visitors can view the mausoleums and learn about Zambia’s political history, leadership, and milestones.


== Mausoleum ==
== Mausoleum Designs ==
The mausoleum for each president at the site is uniquely built with features that represent things which each president is often remembered and aslo for visitors to learn about their individual and collective contributions.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Cabinet approves mausoleum for Sata – Zambia Daily Mail|url=http://www.daily-mail.co.zm/cabinet-approves-mausoleum-sata/|access-date=2021-07-05|website=www.daily-mail.co.zm}}</ref> Both Presidents [[Levy Mwanawasa]] and [[Michael Sata]] died whilst they were still in office. In contrast, [[Frederick Chiluba|Fredrick Chiluba]] died as a former president after he had completed two consecutive terms in office.
 
Each president’s mausoleum at Embassy Park is uniquely designed to reflect their values, legacy, and leadership style.


=== Levy Mwanawasa ===
=== Levy Mwanawasa ===
{{Main|Levy_Mwanawasa#First_term_as_president}}
Mwanawasa’s mausoleum is built in the shape of a traditional stool to symbolise his presidency while in office. Four boot-shaped pillars surround the structure, representing his anti-corruption stance. There are eight steps at the entrance — five wide steps for the full first term, and three narrow steps for the partial second term he served before his passing. He died in office in 2008 and was buried on what would have been his 60th birthday.
Mwanawasa’s mausoleum is built in the shape of a stool. This was due to him being the first president of Zambia to have died as a sitting president. The mausoleum has four pillars around it which are boot-shaped. This denotes the commitment that Mwanawasa had towards stamping out corruption. He stayed committed to this fight until his death. There are eight steps leading to the entrance of Mwanawasa’s mausoleum. First of all, the first five steps are wide, which represent the five years of the first full-term served. In contrast, the next three steps are narrow representing the two and a half years of the second term. This is because had completed these years when he passed on. Mwanawasa was born on 3rd September 1948. He was, therefore, buried on what would have been his 60th Birthday, on 3rd September 2008. This is the first mausoleum you will see when you visit Zambia’s stunning Presidential Memorial site.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1">{{Cite web|title=Embassy Park: History in one place – Zambia Daily Mail|url=http://www.daily-mail.co.zm/embassy-park-history-in-one-place/|access-date=2021-07-05|website=www.daily-mail.co.zm}}</ref>


=== Fredrick Chiluba ===
=== Frederick Chiluba ===
{{Main|Frederick_Chiluba#Politics}}
Chiluba’s mausoleum is designed like a chapel, featuring a cross to reflect his declaration of Zambia as a Christian Nation in 1991. Ten columns symbolise his ten-year presidency. A small thatched-roof model atop the mausoleum represents his commitment to housing empowerment. The entrance has a tie-shaped ramp, highlighting his elegant fashion sense.
He was the first former Head of State to be laid to rest at the Presidential Memorial Park. His mausoleum is in the design of a chapel, which has a cross (symbol of Christianity) on top. This is because he was the President that declared Zambia as a Christian Nation on 29th December 1991. The mausoleum also has 10 pillars around it to represent the number of years that Chiluba served. This was two full consecutive terms of five years each. The 10 pillars also denote the commitment to unite the southern African region. He demonstrated this in operations such as initiating peace talks in the Democratic Republic of Congo. On the roof of the mausoleum, just below the cross, there is also a small structure representing a house. This is styled like a village thatch-roofed house. It due to one of the things he will be remembered for, his commitment to empowering the Zambians with housing. A most noteworthy initiative during his tenure was the development of the Bennie Mwiinga housing project in Lusaka. Fredrick Chiluba was also famed for his elegant sense of fashion and exquisite dress style. Likewise, the entrance to his mausoleum has a ramp shaped like a necktie.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" />


=== Michael Sata ===
=== Michael Sata ===
{{Main|Michael_Sata#Presidency}}
Sata’s mausoleum is inspired by King Solomon’s Temple, reflecting his major infrastructure agenda. Inside are 10 pillars representing Zambia’s 10 provinces, including Muchinga Province which he created. The 10 Commandments are engraved in English and Arabic, echoing his pledge to govern using biblical principles. Portraits and images of infrastructure projects are displayed within, including the Mongu-Kalabo Bridge and Michael Chilufya Sata Hospital. A stairway with steps bearing the names of the 29 districts created during his term leads to a viewpoint overlooking the site.
He was the fifth Republican President and also the second sitting president to be buried at the Presidential Memorial site. Most noteworthy, his Mausoleum is designed in the style of King Solomon’s Temple, Jerusalem. The temple design furthermore denotes the massive infrastructure development that President Sata embarked on during his tenure in office. Inside, there are also 10 pillars which represent the 10 provinces of Zambia. This is because he created the 10th province of the country, Muchinga Province. On the upper part of the internal walls, the 10 Commandments from the Bible are written in English and Arabic. It’s due to President Sata’s pronouncement that he would rule Zambia using the 10 Commandments. This pronouncement was, most importantly, made just after he was inaugurated as President. Also present is a portrait of Sata at St Ignatius Catholic Church on the day he made the pronouncement. Across the hall on a similar position as the portrait, are also pictures of some of the ambitious infrastructure projects. They were constructed under Sata’s infrastructure development, which includes the Michael Chilufya Sata Hospital, Mpika District. It was named consequently in honour of the late President Sata himself. Similarly the Mongu-Kalabo Bridge, in Western Province, was constructed under the same policy. On the outside of the mausoleum, there is a stairway leading to the temple upper level. This, therefore, gives a bird’s eye view of the inside of Sata’s mausoleum and the park. It provides a vantage point where one can take great photos as they visit Zambia’s stunning Presidential Memorial site. Undoubtedly this would be an addition to unique memorabilia. The steps of the stairway have written on them 29 districts that were created also under his leadership as president.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" />
 
== See also ==
* [[Kenneth Kaunda]]
* [[Levy Mwanawasa]]
* [[Michael Sata]]
* [[State funerals in Zambia]]


== References ==
[[Category:Zambian monuments and memorials]]
<references />
[[Category:Cemeteries in Zambia]]
{{Zambia topics}}
[[Category:Buildings and structures in Lusaka]]
[[Category:Presidential burial sites]]
[[Category:National Monuments of Zambia]]
[[Category:2008 establishments in Zambia]]

Latest revision as of 10:00, 31 July 2025

Embassy Park Presidential Burial
Presidential Burial site poster.
Established2008
Location
Independence Ave, Lusaka
CountryZambia
TypeCemetery
Owned byNHCC
No. of graves5

Embassy Park Presidential Burial Site, also known as Embassy Park, is the official burial ground for Zambia's presidents. It is located in Lusaka, the country’s capital city. The site was formally recognised as a national monument in 2009, in honour of its national, historical, and cultural significance.

The park is the final resting place for Zambia’s former presidents, including Kenneth Kaunda, Frederick Chiluba, Levy Mwanawasa, Rupiah Banda, and Michael Sata. It commemorates Zambia's political legacy and is a symbolic location for reflection on the contributions of past leaders.

Embassy Park is open to the public and has become a place of remembrance and national education. Visitors can view the mausoleums and learn about Zambia’s political history, leadership, and milestones.

Mausoleum Designs

Each president’s mausoleum at Embassy Park is uniquely designed to reflect their values, legacy, and leadership style.

Levy Mwanawasa

Mwanawasa’s mausoleum is built in the shape of a traditional stool to symbolise his presidency while in office. Four boot-shaped pillars surround the structure, representing his anti-corruption stance. There are eight steps at the entrance — five wide steps for the full first term, and three narrow steps for the partial second term he served before his passing. He died in office in 2008 and was buried on what would have been his 60th birthday.

Frederick Chiluba

Chiluba’s mausoleum is designed like a chapel, featuring a cross to reflect his declaration of Zambia as a Christian Nation in 1991. Ten columns symbolise his ten-year presidency. A small thatched-roof model atop the mausoleum represents his commitment to housing empowerment. The entrance has a tie-shaped ramp, highlighting his elegant fashion sense.

Michael Sata

Sata’s mausoleum is inspired by King Solomon’s Temple, reflecting his major infrastructure agenda. Inside are 10 pillars representing Zambia’s 10 provinces, including Muchinga Province which he created. The 10 Commandments are engraved in English and Arabic, echoing his pledge to govern using biblical principles. Portraits and images of infrastructure projects are displayed within, including the Mongu-Kalabo Bridge and Michael Chilufya Sata Hospital. A stairway with steps bearing the names of the 29 districts created during his term leads to a viewpoint overlooking the site.

See also

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