Northern Province Minister Freedom Sikazwe has asked the department of Social Welfare to include former freedom fighters on the list of beneficiaries of the social cash transfer Programme.
Speaking when he officiated at this year’s Africa Freedom Day celebration in Kasama, Mr Sikazwe observed that freedom fighters played a key role in fighting for the country’s independence and as such need to be looked after properly.
He said it is therefore logical that former freedom fighters, who were above the age of 65, benefit from government support programmes like the social cash transfer for them to led better lives.
Mr Sikazwe has since cautioned officers from the department of social welfare to refrain from giving money to people who are not eligible for the support programme.
The Northern Provincial Minister further said government is looking at modalities that will enable freedom fighters access subsidized farming inputs under the Farmers Input Support Programme (FISP).
And speaking earlier, a representative of the freedom fighters, Kapembwa Simuchile praised government for taking keen interest in addressing the plight of former freedom fighters in the country.
Mr Simuchile urged the young generation to carry forward the dreams and aspirations of the freedom fighters by ensuring peace and unity prevailed in the nation.
He said development of Zambia will never be complete without recognizing the sacrifices of the former freedom fighters.
This year’s African Freedom Day was celebrated under the theme: ‘Celebrating 50 years of our existence and laying a foundation of social economic transformation’.
They are our senior citizens and should also be given special cards for free travel around the country or better still buy them cars.
Who fought for freedom? Members of the first cabinet or Zambians of age at the time? All those who threw stones and are not identified are freedom fighters. The Kaundas should be content that their children are free, that was the cause. We appreciate, but to select to honour and pay the leadership only is coming short of appreciating the whole freedom fight structure.
Haven’t we sang enough praises for the so-called freedom fighters? Kaunda, the chief freedom fighter is already on an expensive social-cash transfer scheme.
The proposals these empty tins conjure up in their empty heads one would think we are as well off as Botswana…you have not paid pensioners in the Civil Service and government companies and you are talking of social cash schemes what folly.
Technically freedom fighters are benefiting from the Social Cash Transfer Scheme.This is because the targeted beneficiaries under this scheme are the AGED 65 years old and above, those with severe disability and the chronically ill…so there is no need for other programmes for freedom fighters, the programme is already in place to look at their welfare.