Cynthia Zukas

"I am delighted that the Queen has recognised the services of Mrs Cynthia Zukas in promoting art in Zambia and internationally. Mrs Zukas deserves the award as her hard work in the development of the arts has touched many people and received national and international recognition."

"President Dr. Fred M’membe has eulogised late Cynthia Sara Zukas for her selfless service and love saying she was like a parent to most of the people."

"I made up my mind to make a contribution to the development of the then new country when we arrived in Zambia in 1965"

"At that time there were no art colleges or galleries in Lusaka and nothing really to talk about in art. Fortunately just after we arrived I was introduced to the Lusaka Art Society where I attended a meeting and was made secretary"

"Going to a mixed race university with a small number of black students was a real eye opener for me! I was rudely awakened to the terrible inequality and brutality of the apartheid and racism in South Africa at that time and was quickly swept into the exciting world of student politics"

"This was detrimental to my art studies and I had to repeat a year before I got my degree"

"Simon and I had a lot in common and we worked together on various committees such as the movement for Colonial Freedom and anti-apartheid movements. We fell in love and got married in January 1954. I settled down to become a full time housewife and mother. Our two children were born in 1955 and 1957 respectively"