How will Chiluba be remembered? That is the question that is being debated by Zambian netizens on various networks. The buzz on the late former president’s death and his legacy is almost reflective of one of Zambian language sayings which states that on the day an elephant dies, it is the talk of the village. The story of Zambia’s second president, Frederick Chiluba, reads like a Homeric tale in Greek mythology in which someone of humble beginnings rises up and heroically knocks off the perch the ruler of a state and takes over. In the process, the hero falls in love with a wicked nymph and is consumed in her power. One Facebooker put it on his wall, the death of former President Chiluba, who died on June 18, has brought more mixed opinions and divisions than that of his nemesis and successor Levy Mwanawasa. A few months into office in 2002, Mwanawasa waived Chiluba’s presidential immunity accusing the second president of plundering millions of US dollars from the national treasury. Former President Chiluba’s body taken to the Mulungushi International Conference Center in Lusaka, Zambia for body viewing. Photo courtesy of @QfmZambia Some netizens say that Chiluba must be allowed to rest in peace while others maintain that the former president should be treated even in death for what he was, a plunderer whose actions while in office impoverished many people in the country he ruled from 1991 to 2001. Perhaps, the eulogy by Munshya wa Munshya captures best the views of those who say Chiluba ought to be remembered for the good he did for the country rather than dwelling on the negative side of his reign. Wrote Munshya: In 1990, choosing a leader for the MMD was not an easy feat. But all sections of the MMD united around Frederick Chiluba. Even many academics in the movement acknowledged the intelligence and brilliance of Chiluba. Chiluba acquired this brilliance, neither in the walls of the classroom nor in the decors of laboratories but rather on the street. It is this courage, this education, and this street wisdom that made Frederick Chiluba fit to lead Zambia’s new political party. And in consistency with his predecessor, one of the first acts of the presidency was Christian commitment. For Kaunda, three months in power in January 1965, he launched the United Church of Zambia, calling it a “national edifice.” For Chiluba, three months in power he addressed a prayer meeting at State House where he renounced corruption and witchcraft and declared Zambia as a Christian nation. This 1991 declaration of Zambia as a Christian nation is perhaps one of the most far reaching decisions that would long linger in history. In death, however, Zambians should put their political differences aside and unite in mourn the passing of an extraordinary man. A diminutive man who walked among us with extraordinary courage. A brief Twitter exchange I had with Munshya went like this: It looks like #Chiluba is being canonised in death. Very soon we'll hear a suggestion that he be called Saint Fred. #Zambia. Munshya replied: @GNdhlovu death has a way of redeeming people. @ICTjournalist tweeted: @GNdhlovu i remember him as a person who who started a revolution in Africa which has spread all over Another tweep, @missbwalya, had this to say about Chiluba: Beyond multi-party democracy & liberalization, Chiluba's lasting legacy is “ukubosha (bribery)” mentality + corruption. #ThatsAll #Zambia @afriwoman did not like him but… Listening to Zambian radio stations, going through pics of #Chiluba's funeral courtesy of @QfmZambia . Didn't like the guy but a little sad The debate on Chiluba’s virtues when he was alive have been intense on Lusaka Times and Zambian Watchdog which have been carrying a number of stories on the former president’s death. Commeting on the Lusaka Times under the story in which the incumbent President Rupiah Banda declares seven days of national mourning for Chiluba, Sanford and Son says: As we depart from this earth, we shall be remembered by what we have done, and at times the bad overshadows all the good we may have done, So it is for FTJ. I remember my brothers and sisters who died in droves because there was no food or healthcare, being taken to the nearest clinic in a wheel barrow while Chiluba dined with prostitutes! Isaac has a different view: It is so sad to lose a former president of a nation.He was a great man who will b remembered by many for the introduction of multipartism. May His Soul Rest In Eternal Peace. Another contributor, Independent, names the number of people, including politicians and lawyers who died in mysterious circumstances under Chiluba’s government: Well I guess 7 days national mourning is befitting of a former president.