AS ZAMBIA celebrates its 50 years of independence today, it is a time of joyous reflection and thanksgiving.
It is a time to reflect on the meaning of independence, while recognising the nation’s forefathers and mothers who fought hard – some even losing their own lives – to liberate the country.
An opportunity has been bestowed before all citizens still alive to reflect on the contribution these gallant men and women made before October 24, 1964, as well as many others have made during the past 50 years of peace and stability.
This is in acknowledgment that while the freedom fighters planted the seed of nationhood and unity, there were people who watered that seed for it to sprout while, over the last five decades, others too have been nurturing this freedom.
Therefore, the on-going honouring of some deserving citizens by the Government and other institutions, like the Bank of Zambia (BoZ), is in line with that.
As Zambians reflect on the performance of the past 50 years, there is also need to gauge as to what they – especially young ones – are able to contribute and bequeath as a legacy to mother Zambia!
All citizens should determine what input they intend to make in the next 50 years and beyond so that when the next generation will be celebrating the country’s first centenary – 50 years from today – they will as well be mentioned.
The Golden Jubilee should also be used as a moment in time to pay tribute to those brave men and women who successfully fought for independence, the leaders – past and present – who nurtured the new nation and, above all, to God Almighty.
This is important because there is power in saying ‘thank you’ to whoever has achieved great things, especially God who has been able to sustain the peace and stability of this nation.
An ungrateful nation is a lost one.
This generation, therefore, is duty-bound to show gratitude to the people who have vastly added their efforts towards the establishment and development of Zambia.
Given the fact that each citizen has, in his or her own right, contributed something to the building of this nation in the last 50 years, it is not possible that the Government alone should honour these gallant individuals.
Apart from the 1,300-plus heroes and heroines who have been recognised by the Government this year, others should be recognised by their own peers, or their fraternities and sector groupings.
In any group of people with similar background or field, there should be some people who have made exceptional sacrifices and their names deserve special mention either by their peers or by society in general.
This is, however, not to say that in the last 50 years the country has resolved all its problems. No, far from it! There are still a lot of challenges which, together, the country can resolve one at a time.
The outstanding challenges should, nevertheless, not be proffered as an excuse for shunning the observance of this historic day by any Zambian.
Doing so would be tantamount to spurning on the efforts of this nation’s founding fathers and mothers.
In fact, it is these challenges which should unify all citizens just the like the challenges of colonialism united the people against the colonial masters.
The commemorations are not about what should have been done but rather about what has been done so far dating back to pre-independence era.
We, therefore, call upon Zambians, young and old, and from all walks of life, to cast away the regard for their political parties, religions, tribes and other affiliations to turn up in their thousands and participate in this rare occasion, at various designated venues in all regions.
To most of the citizens, this is a once-in-a-lifetime experience and, therefore, it is a must that they partake in it.
Happy Golden Jubilee Zambia!