By Buffalo Reporter (The Zambia Army)
Lusaka
First indigenous Zambia Army Commander, General Kingsley Chinkuli (Retired) has urged serving and retired military Officers to emulate former Zambia Army Commander, General Malimba Masheke’s exemplary loyalty and service to the nation. 
Speaking when members of the Former Service Chiefs Committee visited the residence of Gen Masheke (Rtd) today, Friday, 12 December 2025, Gen Chinkuli (Rtd) said Gen Masheke (Rtd), who also served as Zambia’s Prime Minister, remains a shining example of a loyal Officer and Army Commander.
“Comrade, you have been a cornerstone of loyalty, integrity, exceptional conduct and calmness that continues to shape the minds of Officers in the Zambia Defence Force who have come after you.
You lived, breathed and exhibited utmost loyalty during your tenure as Army Commander and significantly contributed to the maintenance of national and global peace,” Gen Chinkuli said.
Gen Chinkuli also recounted how he encouraged a young school leaver, now Gen Masheke, to join the Army, later becoming an instrumental figure in establishing the Zambia Defence Force.
“Myself, the late Lieutenant General Benjamin Mibenge, and the late Lieutenant Colonel Dunstan Kasote were the first Zambian Officer Cadets at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst (RMAS) in the United Kingdom.
We were on holiday in April 1963 when I was tasked with giving a lecture at a school in Western Province, clad in Sandhurst military gear, to attract school leavers to join the Army. A young Malimba Masheke fell in love with the military and later joined us, completing the quartet of Zambian Officer Cadets at Sandhurst.
Little did I know he would become key in the establishment and operations of the Zambia Defence Force, and later rise to the position of Army Commander,” he said.
And Gen Masheke (Rtd) thanked the committee for the gesture, and commended them for their contribution to safeguarding peace in the nation over the years.
In his vote of thanks, Mr Nambota Masheke, son of Gen Masheke (Rtd), expressed gratitude to the Former Service Chiefs Committee for their visit, which he described as a reflection of love, respect and high regard accorded to Gen Masheke.
