By TEDDY KUYELA
ZAMBIA has every reason to celebrate the country’s 50 years of independence as there is need to appreciate the sacrifices freedom fighters took for the freedoms that the citizens have today.
Chief government spokesperson Mwansa Kapeya said this yesterday in light of a “regrettable and retrogressive” statement attributed to Council of Churches in Zambia (CCZ) general secretary Susanne Matale that there is no logic and value in celebrating Zambia’s jubilee when Zambians still wallow in poverty.
Mr Kapeya, who is also Minister of Information and Broadcasting Services, said contrary to Reverend Matale’s sentiments, Zambians have every reason to celebrate this October as they have always done in the past 49 years.
“Zambia, like many other countries world-over, still faces many developmental challenges. But this does not mean that we should not celebrate our independence which was achieved at great cost and sacrifice.
“Our founding fathers and mothers spared nothing in freeing Zambia from the yoke of colonialism. No pain was too hard for them to bear, no load was too heavy for them to carry. Indeed no life was too precious for them to lose for the cause of freedom, prosperity and dignity for Mother Zambia,” he said.
Mr Kapeya said no amount of material or monetary reward can ever suffice to thank the gallant men and women for the immense and immeasurable sacrifice they made in liberating the country.
He said as Zambia turns 50 years later this year, it is important to remember freedom fighters such as Kenneth Kaunda, Harry Mwaanga Nkumbula, Mwansa Kapwepwe, Mama Julia Chikamoneka, Mama Chibesa Kankasa, Grey Zulu and many other unspoken heroes and freedom fighters.
“We remember and pay tribute to them and never forget that it is to them that we owe the freedom we enjoy today as a sovereign nation.
“Failure to appreciate the logic and value in celebrating Zambia’s Golden Jubilee, is contempt of the highest order, against the gallant men and women, who sacrificed their all for the freedom of mother Zambia,” Mr Kapeya said.
He said Government is happy that the country has been at peace for the past 50 years during which Zambians have had peaceful transitions of power from one Government to another over the years, much to the envy of the world.
“Rev. Matale’s argument that it is meaningless for Zambians to celebrate 50 years of independence in the midst of poverty is akin to the misplaced notion that the poor should not celebrate their birthdays and wedding anniversaries.
“Just like the United States and other developed countries celebrate their special days, Zambia should also celebrate its special day proudly and freely like the national anthem says,” he said.
Mr Kapeya said of course, Government is under no illusion about the enormity of the economic and developmental challenges Zambia faces even as the country turns 50 later this year.
He said this is why Government, under the leadership of President Sata has intensified and accelerated the pace of development to uplift people’s living standards.
He said Government has further heightened the fight against corruption to maximise accountability in the utilisation of public resources for the benefit of the people.
Mr Kapeya said these and other measures demonstrate Government’s commitment to building a better and prosperous Zambia for all even as the country prepares to celebrate 50 years of independence this October.
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