President Michael Sata has paid special tribute to the late Mama Betty Kaunda, Princess Nakatindi Wina and many other freedom fighters for their selfless contribution to the country’s political struggle.
President Sata said the legacy of the freedom fighters and their heroism will forever remain imprinted in the memories of most Zambians.
President Sata challenged the Zambian people regardless of their political affiliation and ideology to build on this legacy noting that Zambia has enjoyed peace, unity and stability since independence.
Mr. Sata appreciated the heroism of the fore-fathers and mothers because their vision propelled them to fight for independence with resolve regardless of race, colour, tribe or religion which determined the future of the nation.
Mr. Sata says the nation has made great strides towards achieving the vision of our founding fathers, a vision which every Zambian should continue to strive for in the years to come.
The President said this on national radio and television to mark the Independence eve.
“Our fore-fathers, mothers and youths fought gallantly for their patriotism and sacrifice which made the attainment of our independence possible, the independence we continue to enjoy to this day. May I pay special tribute to the late Mama Betty Kaunda, Princess Nakatindi Wina and many others for their selfless contribution to the struggle the legacy of their heroism will forever remain imprinted in our memories,” President Sata said.
He said Zambia has enjoyed peace, unity and stability since independence and urged the Zambian people to continue to protect and guard jealously the freedom, peace and tranquility that our country continues to enjoy.
He stated that it is imperative that all Zambians exercise forgiveness, tolerance, and respect for one another besides exercising our individual freedoms and rights and reminded the people to be responsible and not to infringe on the freedoms and rights of others.
“Zambia has enjoyed peace, unity and stability since independence and it is in this vein that, as a country, we should continue to protect and guard jealously the freedom, peace and tranquility that our country continues to enjoy. it is therefore, imperative that we all exercise forgiveness, tolerance, and respect for one another,” he said.
And commenting on this year’s theme, President Sata said it is most appropriate as it underscores the need for the nation to be visionary and focused in its quest to attain socio-economic development.
The 2012 independence theme is dubbed, “celebrating forty-eight years of independence with vision, hard work and unity.”
The President hinted that the national vision for the country under his administration is to become a prosperous middle income country by 2030.
He said this would translate into increased income levels for the people and enabling them to have access to decent health, education, shelter, food, clean water, sanitation and other basic needs thereby poverty levels in the country will significantly be reduced.
President Sata urged the Zambian citizens to improve productivity in their respective sectors and strive to have a positive attitude and mindset towards work as a country because no one will develop this country but ourselves.
President Sata is tomorrow expected to lead freedom fighters, defence chiefs, diplomats accredited to Zambia and senior government officials in laying wreaths at the freedom stature.
The Head of state is later in the afternoon expected to honour some freedom fighters and other eminent persons who have greatly contributed to the nation.
ZANIS
May their soul rest in peace. Happy 48 Independence anniversary to Zambia
Thank you for remembering women freedom fighters. There should be an award for women who advance women’s rights named after one of those ladies – Julia Chikamoneka, Betty Kaunda, Mama Kankasa etc.
Dear Mr President, As we celebrate Zambia’s 48th Birthday, among other important issues, please look into establishing our own national lab that will conduct DNA testing. It is about time.
Stop relying on South Africa for everything. How do you know if they are even giving you the correct DNA results?
I agree
WELL DONE BA PRESIDENT FOR HONOURING OUR LADY FREEDOM FIGHTERS. MAY MAMA BETTY KAUNDA AND PRINCES NAKITINDI REST IN PEACE AND MAY GOD GIVE GOOD HEALTH TO OUR FATHER OF THE NATION K.K.
After 48 years of independence a recent report a few days ago published Zambia as a fast growing economy and yet one of the poorest countries on the globe.
70% of people live on less than a dollar a day. A good theme to go with independence, vision , hardwork and unity. That’s sounds right??
God knows what the formal employment is, 20 percent my guess of whol population and am being forgiving. Sata was z ANC, unip, mmd, now PF, same ideas and ideologies. If you wish to know the history of our country take a momemt to read the history! You will appreciate more to know what happens now and before.
What did mama Betty really do you people where was she when KK and special branch were busy suppressing and disappearing political opponents at the infamous redbrick.
Today he is honouring the people he was betraying to the British!
WE ARE TIRED OF YOUR DECIETY AND LIES
Nubian Princess
Thanks for mentioning Mama Julia Chikamoneka, this guy was a genuine treasure trove, love her.
Who should this prentender honour after being a saller-out. He reported so many freedom fighters who were later killed by the regime because Sata was the informer of the British regime. This fool MUST repent and I have NO kind words for him, Some of us our genuine grandfathers were killed on account of fighting for this independence. I donot celebrate it myself…fake! Geniune fighters were thereafter eliminated by KK, what do you expect us to celebrate sure??? Redbrick killed our people!!!!!
YES, GO AND LAY WREATHS AND BETTER BE SORRY FOR YOUR SINS….
Zambia without Barotseland is like a baby without nappies and a birth certificate!! What celebration is there to talk about?
Sata is mad period. My son doesnt like sata’s face. Is it because he is a satanist.
What is very very sad is that a feeble minded chap like you is bringing up a human being in this world. I pray for your poor son!! He will be in my prayers tonight!!
I can bet my money on it, your son crys when you look at him and laughs when he thinks you are dead!! Howz that???? since we are talking about your son….
Nakatindi will be remembered for stopping the serpent from demolishing houses in Kanyama single handedly. may ha soul rest in peace. betty did nothing for zambia. howevver, she was repectful and respectable not like kaseba , maureen and vera who parde their bodies for the serpent.
At least you are not obnoxious like so many other people – you are obnoxious in a different and worse way!
UPND AND HAKAINDE HAVE DECLARED THEY WILL NOT REMEMBER AN FREEDOM FIGHTER AS LONG AS HE IS NOT TONGA UPND Salutes Harry Mwaanga Nkumbula
Harry Mwaanga Nkumbula is definitely the father of Zambian politics. According to Giacomo Macola in One Zambia Many Histories, ‘until the late 1950s, Harry Mwaanga Nkumbula was very much the public face …of African nationalism in Northern Rhodesia…’
Nkumbula was born in Maala village in Namwala district in 1916. Nkumbula worked as a teacher in Kafue district before continuing with his career in the Copperbelt districts of Kitwe and Mufulira. It was on the Copperbelt where his interest in politics came to the fore when he became Secretary of the Mufulira Welfare Association and co-founded the Kitwe African Society.
Julia Chikamoneka was Zambia’s first Naturalist. She was an unashamed NUDIST. And that was her major contribution to the “Independence Struggle”.
President Joyce Banda of Malawi is in full agreement with Shuwanga Shuwanga. She has also boycotted Zambia’s independence celebrations!
ANYAKWAWA AKWATHU SANGABWERE KU DZIKO LA AFISI NDI ANYANI. JUDGE CHIKOPA YEMWEYO AKUKWANIRANI. NYAKWAWA WANU NGOPENGA. NDUNANSO ZAKE NDIYE AGALU BOKHA-BOKHA. APA-PA SITIWOTHERA. HOW CAN A NORMAL PRESIDENT GIVE DANDY CRAZY AN AWARD THAT HAS ELUDED BETTY KAUNDA FOR FIFTY YEARS! ONLY IN ZAMBIA IS SUCH MADNESS CROWNED.
“He said Zambia has enjoyed peace, unity and stability since independence” – yes, until you came and started dividing the country on tribal lines!! Just wondering how long this misery is going to continue
Only political leaders are enjoying the so called independence through corrupt means and stealing. Is it not disgraceful that a senior minister can brag without shame that he is in politics to enrich himself? I thought they are in their positions to serve and better the living standards of the people of Zambia. These boring speeches with hollow themes are just meant to brainwash and dribble the masses who were described as being primitive last week. Enjoy your ‘celebrations’!
#3 Nubian Princess The irony of it all is that the laboratory that Zambians depend on for DNA tests in South Africa, namely, Lancet Laboratory, is owned by a Zambian
Was the Princess Nakatindi Wina a freedom fighter, as well? As far as I am aware, she was 17 in 1964, an age too young, especially for someone from the royal family, to engage in freedom struggle. Also, at that time, her husband, Ishee Sikota Wina was courting another woman, a white girl. What I am not sure of is whether people are confusing her for her mother, the real Princess Nakatindi, who was the chieftainess at Mwandi.