By James Mulenga
Movement for Multiparty Democracy President Dr. Nevers Mumba has called for a change in the way the Commemoration of the Independence day is done to include the education and sensitization of the younger generation on the importance of independence.
Dr. Mumba who is also the former Republican Vice President was a guest on the Zambia@55 special Hot Seat Program on Hot FM. He said Zambians should be proud of their heritage and celebrate it. He said Zambians should be proud of their country regardless of the economic challenges.
Dr. Mumba said that Zambia’s founding fathers managed to get Independence due to Unity of Purpose. They fought for our independence with a passion.
He emphasised that the values by which our forefathers fought for Zambia’s Independence must be inculcated in the youths to avoid what has recently happened in South Africa. He said the xenophobic attacks experienced in South Africa were a result of failure to educate the youths on how they got were they currently are.
On the call for a change in approach to our celebrations, he said, “As a Nation we should turn away from the Commemoration of our Independence in the traditional way of feasting at State House, where Cadres fight to get a share of food and beer. It should be a day where our younger generation is educated and sensitized on who, why and what was the spirit behind our Independence struggle. Only when that is done are we going to have a generation of leaders who will believe in Service before Self”, Dr. Mumba said.
Wht can one day only change? More important should be wht we put in the school syllabus and then set examinations on. Where are research papers that interrogate wht our founding fathers did and its implications on the country we hv today? I hv seen two books on this. One by Sardanis whom ECL has honoured (but I doubt Lungu knows Sardanis; he only thinks he does) and the other is a symposium by a group of Zambian academics. On cultural heritage, Nevers Mumba had better tread carefully. Wht cultural heritage can we talk about whn govt policy is to ensure that some local languages should die even in their natural habitat?
Credit to Nevers Mumba for highlighting this issue. Every year here in China, national day is celebrated with film, music, and other forms of cultural awareness programs to educate the citizens on the history of the country and the various milestones achieved so far. It is a day celebrated with soberness and a real appreciation of their cultural heritage. That being said, the govt should accept Dr Mumba’s advise and set up a state bureau for film and arts charged with documenting the history of our nation. Empower local film makers with funds to make films about the independence struggle, about our economic history etc. Without a real appreciation of our cultural heritage, there cannot be preservation of our unique values and overall continuity in our forward march as a country.
I agree with Nevers mumba
We should educate and sensitize one little boy too.
Instead of asking his fellow useless leaders in pf to change he is again talking about youth. The youth look up to you. So if you are a rotten peanut what u expect from the youth? Meanwhile last night my whlte wlfe and I celebrated our own independence. My whlte wlfe surprised me with a strip pole dance and then we got down to business. Ala I ate bane. 5 rounds!
Who is MMD President am confused now
According to LT it’s Nevers Mumba, but it’s Felix Mutati who is recognised by the registrar of society.
If anything, the way Independence is commemorated changed in 1991 when UNIP lost power. Those days we used to have Humanism Week! This was a time for community service. Sadly today, the only thing we do is laying of wreaths at the freedom statue despite citizens having no Freedoms left under PF. The day itself is characterized by debauchery, drunkenness and all imaginable evils! Thus most discerning citizens use their democratic rights not to participate in commemorations that seem to have lost meaning!
Don’t remind us of Kaunda’s real dictatorship. Serving should be fun and brought about by a sense of community, not direct instruction of nonsense.
Nevers, you are the pot calling the kettle black. Where is your commitment to Unity? Where is your Passion? Why don’t you reconcile with Felix Mutati and form a united MMD to rid the country of PF and Rotten Rungu???
I THINK THOSE IN CHARGE OF ZAMBIA NEED TO BE SCHOOLED ON THE IMPORTANCE OF INDEPENDENCE AS THEY HAVE CLEARLY FORGOTTEN WHAT INDEPENDENCE DAY CELEBRATION IS ALL ABOUT —- THEY HAVE SOLD OUR COUNTRY TO THE CHINESE — WHAT IS THERE TO CELEBRATE ??????????????????????
I think a lot of Zambian citizens minds are worse than the PF government itself. It is rare to find a logical comment on Lusaka Times lately. It is like we have been invaded by the watchdog’s worst people.
Most probably yes. Watchdog people have migrated to this site. Watchdog has lost credibility. They don’t have provision for comments. Even sister online publications have to desguse them as Zambian Watch when qouting them because deep down they feel ashamed qouting them. LT be careful you might finish like watchdog.
Ati fyototo fyototo as my mother could have put it. Iwe Sekwila why did you not do that when you were vice president to a very progressive president the late Levy Patrick Mwanawasa the father to this good for nothing and adulterous chap Patrick? In Canada when you had the opportunity of being a high commissioner dod you even do anything sensible? And you should lecture to us about changing the way we celebrate independence when you don’t even mean what you are saying. You opportunist and alarmist of blodshed in Zambia during the 1991 elections. Sometimes you must learn to shut your very loud mouth.
I WISH THIS MAN WAS STILL A TRUE PASTOR. HE WOULD HAVE BEEN MORE USEFUL TO OUR COUNTRY. RIGHT NOW HE HAS THE FORM OF A SHEEP, BUT BECAUSE OF HIS APPETITE FOR POLITICAL OFFICE, HE HAS THE SKIN AND ESSENCE OF A WOLF. A SHEEP IN WOLF SKIN!!