Acting Republican President Edgar Lungu today led hundreds of patriotic Zambians and former Republican Presidents at the freedom statue in laying wreaths in remembrance of all fallen heroes.
Mr. Lungu who first layed the wreath at the Statue later saw First republican president Dr. Kenneth Kaunda to lay his wreath followed by his fourth republican counterpart, Rupiah Banda.
Defense Chiefs and diplomatic followed in laying their respective wreaths in remembrance of the departed heroes and heroines who fought for Zambia’s independence struggle.
Mr. Lungu was given a 21 gun salute mounted by Zambia Army Second battalion.
The Acting President who arrived at the Freedom square at 08-40 hours local time was greeted to a thunderous welcome.
Zambia National Service (ZNS) Director of Chaplaincy Henry Matifeyo quoting from Isaiah 61:1 – 4 urged the Zambian people to restore human dignity by loving, respecting and uniting together for a common goal.
Lieutenant Colonel Matifeyo further urged the Zambian people to be patriotic in the jubilee year in line with the 2014 theme; Commemorating God’s favour of Zambia’s 50 years of independence for continued peace, unity, democracy, patriotism and prosperity”.
Zambia attained independence from British government on 24th October, 1964. She has turned 50 years today.
Chief Government Spokesperson Joseph Katema said he was happy that most of the opposition political leaders attended the jubilee celebrations.
Opposition MMD leader Dr. Nevers Mumba, All People’s Congress (APC) leader Nason Msoni, Mike Mulongoti (People’s Party) Peter Simpemba (Green Party), Edith Nawakwi (FDD) and Cosmo Mumba of the National Revolution Party were among the notable opposition figures at the event.
Dr. Katema thanked the leaders for their bold and wise decision to join hands and celebrating with Government.
And speaking in a separate interview, MMD leader Dr. Nevers Mumba and his APC counterpart Nason Msoni condemned UPND leader Hakainde Hichilema for staying away from the national event as it was only for the ruling PF party but for the entire Zambian people from all walks of life.
Meanwhile, Acting President Edgar Lungu later in the afternoon proceeded to the heroes stadium to watch different performances performed by the ZNS and Chinese artists among others.
The uhuru commemorations were witnessed by 26 visiting leaders among them former South African president Thabo Mbeki and Botswana’s Festus Mogae.
The jubilee celebrations were characterized by most Zambians lad in the Zambian flag in different styles.
It is well and good celebrating someone’s birthday even when he has not achieved much. The fact that your birth anniversary is upon you. You smile at all the best wishes you receive during your day. For me, this is what we have in Zambia today. Celebrating the birth of a nation and nothing else. Nothing else because there are no tangible successes one can point to in terms of economical, political and social successes. On all fronts we have regressed if you ask me. Worse still, instead of our people looking after the affairs of the people, we have our own people behaving like bwanas who are accumulating wealth for the native kingdom. While the white bwanas did it for the benefit of the kingdom, our bwanas are accumulating wealth for their pockets and family tree.
The difference is as clear today as it was when the freedom fighters began waging war against the then government: race-based discrimination.
We were liberated from that.
Today it is survival of the fittest. Only those who shansha no kulwisha today will contribute to the gene pool of the population of Zambians of tomorrow. And this will depend on how well they can hold their own in this nakatango.
Ni katende mpelo lubilo tulye nabo!
“Mr. Lungu was given a 21 gun salute mounted by Zambia Army Second battalion” No the 21 gun salute was meant for the fallen heroes, not Mr Lungu. He is still alive!
@suntwe, I noted that statement with dismay, too. It is disheartening that this reporter failed to research behind the ceremonies that happen on days like this one. This is what leads to misinformation especially when a gullible reader decides to take the report to heart. I am sure the least that Mr Lungu did was observe the 21-gun salute.