Freedom fighters in Shawang’andu district of Muchinga province have called on Government to look into the plight of freedom fighters that are still alive and wallowing in poverty.
Chileshe Chali, a Shiwang’andu-based freedom fighter, said most of the freedom fighters have remained poor because their livelihood base was destroyed by colonialists during the independence struggle.
Mr Chali further urged government to also consider the plight of surviving families of the fallen heroes who died in the course of fighting for independence so that the blood they shed would not have been spilt in vain.
He was speaking on behalf of other freedom fighters at the commemoration of the Golden Jubilee independence anniversary on Friday.
The event was celebrated under the theme “Commemorating God`s favour of Zambia 50 years of Independence for continued Peace, Unity, Patriotism and prosperity.”
Mr Chali, however, appreciated government for fulfilling desires that the freedom fighters had of public services such as abundant schools and health institutions country wide once the country got independence.
The Golden Jubilee event was officiated by Shiwang`andu Member of Parliament (MP) Stephen Kampyongo.
Mr Kampyongo said it is gratifying to see that the Zambian economy has continued to register positive growth rate over the past 50 years.
He added that despite the positive economic growth, the country is still experiencing high levels of poverty and unemployment.
Mr Kampyongo said in order to curb poverty there is need to ensure equitable distribution of wealth among the citizens and for this reason government is promoting broad-based reforms through increased citizen participation in the economy.
The Deputy Minister also took time to visit grave sites for the gallant freedom fighters that died in 1961 during the independence struggle.
Most of these tuma old men and women claiming to be Freedom fighter are fake. They were either informers or cowards that never raised their heads to face the colonial police. We have had enough of these claimants making little noise . It is not our fault and our responsibilities that they were denied freedom. It was their duty to fight for their freedom. Do we have to pay them for fighting for their freedom? No chance. They fought for freedom and the right to do business. If these fellows never took the opportunity to use the freedom they fought for to develop themselves… should we be the ones to pay now?????? They missed the opportunity,…..it is them to blame!
After 50 years of indpendence we do not want to hear about this nonsense of “ubuntungwa”. It was their faulty that they allowed the white man to come and dominate them in their huts. And it was their descision to fight. Why should we pay them??? It was about their survival……..We were not there !!!! Lets move on and develop the country. Forget about this nonsense of freedom fighters here and there.
They missed the boat ……it is their faulty.
Blaming his poverty on something that happened 50 years ago is rediculous
What have you been doing for 50 years (1/2 a Century)?
There is no question that poverty prevails in Zambia. 50 years after independence, such poverty levels are a disgrace to a country that is supposed to be among Africa’s most affluent. What strategy has the country been pursuing to tackle poverty among the poor and uneducated?
” What strategy has the country been pursuing to tackle poverty among the poor and uneducated? ”
Ever heard of neoliberal economics? Privatisation, deregulation and ‘free trade’ – you don’t need government, the market will step in and provide services.
Remember how statism was condemned as ‘collectivism’?
Right now, there are low to no taxes for the mines, and the state is not developing infrastructure because of lack of funding. Even the farmers don’t get paid on time.
This is how UN’s International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) “Rural Poverty Portal” describes the decline of the Zambian economy under neoliberal economics, from Chiluba onwards, without of course ever saying so:
” Rural poverty in Zambia
” At present the country is undergoing a difficult period of transition from a state-led to market based economy. The government is in the process of reorienting and improving management of public institutions and delivery of public services. Economic decline has made it impossible for the government to maintain previous levels of public services. The agriculture sector, once supported by the government, has been neglected for several decades. “
Continued…
” Without effective extension services and access to inputs such as fertilizers and seed stock, small-scale farmers have fallen back onto subsistence farming, often struggling to meet their food needs. ”
THIS IS THE EFFECT OF NEOLIBERAL ECONOMICS.
Let’s try something else.
Let’s try Democracy. If people had a direct say in how the budget was allocated, there would be a lot less room for corruption. For anything that costs more than $10 million, let’s have a referendum.
No more secret arms deals, no more secret ‘trade agreements’ that sabotage national sovereignty. No more billion dollar eurobonds, unless it is clear in advance what it will be spent on and how it will be paid back.
@MrK…
They do not have to conduct a referendum in Denmark, Norway, Finland, Singapore, Australia, Mauritious, Botswana to stop corruption. The institutions set up to act on behalf of the population just do their job professionally. In Zambia, ruling parties are perceived as supreme. The State machinery (Police, ACC, DEC, ZSIS) pretend not to understand their role in a democracy. We know that they understand because they attend countless courses both within and abroad BUT they just do not believe in what they are taught. Someone needs to write a thesis on why Zambia’s state machinery is like that. Look at how they misinterpret the Public Order Act to intimidate legal opposition parties but turn a blind eye to thugs pausing as ruling party cadres. Examples abound.
Mozambique freedom fighters = Yes, there was an armed struggle
Zim freedom fighters = Yes, there was an armed struggle
Namibia freedom fighters = Yes, there was an armed struggle
SA freedom fighters = Maybe, there was hardly any combat
Malawi “freedom fighters” = No – Independence was given on a silver platter.
Zambian “freedom fighters” = No – Independence was given on a silver platter.
So why should we pay these to ma fake freedom fighters?
Save for Maitungu and MrK mwalitumpa bonse ba fisushi. I hope you get your comeuppance for insulting the freedom struggle. Belittling a struggle because you weren’t there is being brainless. Just because you are lucky to be born after the enslavement of your ancestors don’t mean you should be fullish enough to insult your ancestors whose predicament you fail to grasp cos you are brainless. Bonse mulinokucula the same as brainless creatures would’ve been