Countrymen and women:

1. Good evening.

2. Tomorrow marks our country’s 55th Independence anniversary. As per tradition, I am delighted to address the nation on the eve of this very special day in the history of our country.

3. Fifty-five years after Independence our generation can look back with pride, admiration and appreciation to our forefathers and mothers who waged a protracted struggle for Independence from colonial rule. We are grateful to them and above all to God, that we are here today to witness and celebrate this momentous occasion. It is important that we understand our country’s journey, both pre and post-Independence.

Countrymen and women:
4. The struggle for Independence laid a strong foundation for our freedom. Those who fought for this Independence had a vision of a people and nation that was free, united and strong. Each time we sing the national anthem, we recite the words at the core of their vision: free, united and strong.

5. As we celebrate our national day, we salute the heroes and heroines of our Independence struggle. Theirs was a selfless and patriotic generation that put the interests of the nation first before self. They sacrificed their lives to realise the dream of an independent Zambia. To this great generation, we say thank you, twalumba, litumezi, twasanta mwane, twatasha mukwai, zikomo, twasakwililako mwane, chuna-sakililiku mwani.

Countrymen and women:
6. This year’s Independence anniversary is being celebrated under the theme “our freedom, our country, our responsibility.”

7. The theme is a call to reflection and introspection on the meaning of our freedom today and beyond. It invites us to reflect on what we have and can do to maintain our freedom and develop our country.

Countrymen and women:
8. The freedom we are enjoying today enables us to interact with one another and exchange ideas freely but responsibly. This freedom was born out of the determination of our forefathers and mothers to restore our dignity as a people. It goes without saying that there is no dignity in bondage.

9. Our freedom as a people was incomplete without the right to self rule and control over our land. We, therefore, have the duty to respect and preserve this triple heritage of our Independence: dignity, self-rule and sovereignty over our land.

10. The freedoms our founding fathers and mothers fought for have been guaranteed and enshrined in our constitution. These include the fundamental rights and freedoms, the right to life, right to property and equality before the law. Our constitution also guarantees the freedom of conscience, expression and association.

11. Building on this strong foundation, we have made progress in establishing strong institutions that safeguard our freedom. We are also on course in increasing access to basic social services by our people. Equally, we have made steady progress in creating opportunities for our people to improve their livelihoods. As liberated men and women, we should use our freedom to deepen our relationships and develop our nation.

Countrymen and women:
12. Our Independence anniversary is also a celebration of our country. A land of diverse cultures, yet one people. A land richly endowed with natural resources. A land we call our home. This country defines us wherever we go. It is in our dna and deserves our total loyalty and patriotism. It is our God given land which we must always cherish and protect. That is why our forefathers and mothers fought for the Independence of our God given land.

13. Zambia is our home and our birthright. It does not only sustain us and shape us but also connects us with the rest of the world and humanity. We have a lot to be proud of. Our country is a beacon of peace on the continent. We are a hospitable people and we have a rich and diverse cultural heritage. We are blessed with a beautiful and unique environment and climate.

14. Let us take pride in our country and our flag. Let us love and nurture this beautiful country God has given us.

Countrymen and women:
15. Our Independence anniversary is not only a celebration but also a reminder of our responsibility to manage our own affairs. As citizens of this country, within and abroad, it is our responsibility and duty to love this country, to develop this country and to speak well of this country. We are the best ambassadors this country can ever have.

16. Responsibility demands that we should at all times endeavour to achieve the best for our country. Let us, therefore, pursue excellence in all that we do, whether big or small. Let us make this country a better place for everyone, today and in the future.

Countrymen and women:
17. In our quest to develop this great nation, we as citizens, must drive this development agenda. We must make deliberate efforts to work together as a people. We must have unity of purpose in pursuing our common goals.

18. In addition, our generation has the duty to achieve sustainable development and prosperity for our people. In this regard, we must broaden our understanding and appreciation of climate change. We must adapt to climate change. We must mitigate the negative effects of climate change.

Countrymen and women:
19. The responsibility to make Zambia a better place for all is for everyone. Those that grow food and feed the nation. Those that drive the earth moving equipment so that we have productive mines and good roads. Those that shape the minds and the future of children in our learning institutions. Our mothers nurturing our children to become responsible citizens. Our young citizens working in different fields to add value and contribute to the development of our country.

20. Every one counts, every effort counts, we all count. We must promote our unique national identity and image that makes Zambia stand out as a wonderful place to live, work, visit and invest in.

21. As we continue reflecting on our Independence, let us use this day as another opportunity to renew our commitment to our national values and principles. These include morality, integrity, patriotism, national unity and sustainable development. The renewal of our commitment will contribute towards building a strong, united and upright nation.

Countrymen and women:
22. As I conclude, let me reiterate the importance of this day to current and future generations. This day should inspire us to build a nation of solidarity, inclusivity, social justice and equity. We are our brothers keeper. We are our sisters keeper. We are the stewards of our environment. We must always rise above our challenges and inspire hope.

23. Let us develop and nurture creativity, innovation, critical thinking and patriotism in our children. Our children need our kindness, sensitivity and moral uprightness for a prosperous, Zambia. Let us continue to be good and caring neighbours, productive workers, responsible parents and upright citizens.

Countrymen and women:
24. As we celebrate this very special day tomorrow, let us do so in an orderly, peaceful and responsible manner. Let us forget about our differences and honour our country and those who gave us this freedom.

25. I wish you all a happy and blessed Independence day.

26. May God bless us all and bless our beloved country, Zambia.

27. Goodnight.

First Lady Esther Lungu on Wednesday officiated handed over the long awaited fire engines donated to the Esther Lungu Foundation by the Los Angeles-Lusaka City Sister Organization.

The hand over ceremony took place at the Lusaka Fire and Rescue Department at Lusaka Fire Station.

Speaking during the donation, Mrs Lungu urged the Lusaka City Council to establish the Lusaka-Los Angeles relationship office which will coordinate access to services and programs from the American city.

She also has appealed to the general public to begin to appreciate the work of fire fighters in the country.

Mrs Lungu said despite the risk and challenges fire fighters experience, their work is unappreciated.

And receiving the donation, Local Government Minister Charles Banda has urged officers from the fire department to make use of the knowledge obtained from their counterparts on income generation to enhance revenue collection.

Dr. Banda said the two fire engines and a truck for carrying the fire crew will go a long way in improving the capacity of the fire department in responding to fire happenings and other rescue operations.

And Lusaka Mayor Miles Sampa says owing to the growing population in the city, demand for enhanced fire rescue has increased.

The High Court of Zambia has ruled that the controversial Kangaluwi open-cast copper mine project will go ahead in the heart of the Lower Zambezi National park.

This was after the court dismissed the appeal against the mine on a legal technicality because the initial legal team that fought the case five years ago failed to file a record of appeal.

The site of the mine is between two seasonal rivers which flow directly into the Zambezi River.

The mine’s tailings dams will be located just a few hundred metres above the valley floor, next to these rivers.

The risk of pollution and collateral damage to the environment is high, as is the impact the mine will have on the wildlife in the area.
The licence for the mine is held by Mwembeshi Resources Ltd, but it is still unclear where its owners, Grand Resources Ltd, are based.

They are registered in Dubai but suspicions are rife that they are Chinese owned.

Unless an appeal is lodged quickly, the mine company will move onto the site and begin the work of clearing it.

The Lower Zambezi National Park is one of tourism’s major economic contributors and the lodges in and around the park employ hundreds of local people, supporting thousands more in the communities on its periphery.

The mine threatens this thriving tourism economy and the livelihoods of everyone involved in tourism in the Lower Zambezi Valley.

It also threatens to derail Zambia’s recently unveiled tourism growth strategy which hinges on the country’s commitment to protecting its wilderness areas.

The Lower Zambezi National Park sits directly opposite Zimbabwe’s Mana Pools National Park, which is a Unesco World Heritage Site.

Attached: High court ruling on Kangaluwi Mine

The FULL High court ruling on Kangaluwi Mine

Energy Minister Mathew Nkhuwa has announced that the importation of Power from South Africa and Mozambique will commence in the next two weeks following President Edgar Lungu’s directive for him to expedite the importation of power.

Mr Nkhuwa said he has since directed Zesco to expedite the process of signing contracts with Eskom of South Africa and EDM of Mozambique to commence the power imports.

Speaking at a media briefing, Mr Nkhuwa announced that he was last week in Mozambique to negotiate a power purchase agreement with EDM who has agreed to export 100 megawatts of Power to Zambia.

Mr Nkhuwa said the Government will tomorrow pay US$10 million to Eskom with another US$30 million to meet the US$30 million they requested for to commence power exports to Zambia.

President Edgar Lungu yesterday directed the Minister of Energy Mathews Nkhuwa to expedite the importation of electricity in order to cushion the power deficit that the nation is grappling with.

President Lungu said it is anticipated that the imported electricity will boost supply not only among the farming communities but other sectors of the economy.

The Head of State was speaking in Lusaka when he officiated at the 114th Zambia National Farmers Union Annual Congress.

The United States of America Treasury has expressed readiness of the world’s biggest economy to support Zambia in the pursuit of a program with the International Monetary Fund.

Eric Meyer the United States of America Deputy Assistant Secretary for Africa, Middle East and Multilateral Development Banks wished Zambia the best in its efforts to stabilise the economy and look forward to improved mutual trust in relationship with the Fund.

The US Treasury representative commended Zambia for the bold decision to maintain the VAT tax system, which decision, according to the observation by the US Treasury, helped to remove uncertainty in the business community in Zambia and among the country’s development partners across the globe.

Mr Meyer also commended Finance Minister Dr Bwalya Ng’andu for re-affirming the Zambian Governments commitment to address the debt situation.

He the Minister was also commended for the measures taken to dismantle domestic arrears.

Responding to the discussion points by Mr Meyer, the Minister of Finance reiterated that the Zambian Government fully recognises the role which the Fund plays in assisting countries to effectively manage their macroeconomic environment and stabilise their economy.

Dr Ng’andu invited the US to consider investing in the Zambian energy sector with special focus on solar and thermal energy options.

The Minister stated that Zambian authorities have been working with different partners to improve data availability and credibility in the mining sector to ensure that suspicions that arise on mineral production are eliminated.

He said further that his Ministry is confident of the capacity that exists at the Zambia Revenue.

Dr N’gandu said efforts are being stepped-up to ensure that the current efficiency challenges in domestic resource mobilisation, related to tax evasion, smuggling and other tax avoidance practices, are overcome.

Meanwhile, the International Monetary Fund has confirmed that they will field a staff visit to Zambia in a fortnight to exchange data and views on policies government is undertaking to stabilizing the economy.

This came to light at a bilateral meeting between the Zambian team led by Dr Ng’andu and the IMF Director for the African Region, Abebe Sellasie Deputy Director (Africa Region) David Robinson Mission Chief Dan Gura and other senior IMF officials.

Dr Ng’andu was accompanied to the meeting with the IMF by Secretary to the Treasury Fredson Yamba and Deputy Secretary to Cabinet Christopher Mvunga.

Others were Bank of Zambia Governor Dr Denny Kalyalya, Ministry of National Development Planning Permanent Secretary for Monitoring and Evaluation Danies Chisenda and Ministry of Finance Permanent Secretary for Economic Management and Finance Mukuli Chikuba.

The Zambian delegation also held a bilateral meeting with the French Executive Directorate to the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank.

The Minister returns to Zambia today.

This is according to a statement issued by Ministry spokesperson Chileshe Kandeta.

Transparency International Zambia has described as hollow, the statement issued by Home Affairs Minister Stephen Kampyongo on the ownership of the mysterious houses.

In his ministerial statement, Mr Kampyongo said the owners of the 48 or 51 houses have been identified as a couple working for the Zambian government and a Kitwe based lawyer.

But TIZ President Reuben Lifuka said Mr Kampyongo’s statement was hollow.

“Strangely, this statement rings hollow, with many unanswered questions especially on beneficial ownership,” Mr Lifuka said.

This sounded a bit like a lion assuring the goat it is now a vegetarian

“This sounded a bit like a lion assuring the goat it is now a vegetarian,” he stated.

He added, “Here is one concern- professionals at the Anti Corruption Commission did their initial investigations and found no owners for the 48 and now 51 houses.”

“ACC announced publicly they had concluded this matter. Now the joint investigation has found civil servants to be the owners.”

“Clearly it will be naive for the goat to believe the Lion,” he said.

“Similarly, it will be naive of us as a people to believe this yarn from the Minister, especially without any proof that these indeed are the owners and not a front for the true beneficial owner.”