ZAMBIA CELEBRATES 50 YEARS OF INDEPENDENCE

It is with joy that Zambia celebrates 50 years of independence. At fifty, Zambia is still a very young nation, looking to the future much more than to the past. It is a nation being built, moving forward, full of expectations and hope. Zambia is a young nation filled with a young population, which struggles for a better future.

FIFTY YEARS OF PEACE

Celebrating her independence, Zambia is celebrating fifty years of peace. In spite of the great diversity of tribes, languages and customs, Zambians have learnt living together, in such a way that one can fill at home in any part of the country. Anywhere in Zambia, one can find a great number of mixed marriages, with the children born out of them filling at home both in their father and mother’s tribes. We find regional tensions, which are normal in any country, and we can find groups complaining of being left out in the development programmes, but the tradition of tribal cousinship allows people of different tribes to laugh at each other without taking offence, thus bringing out the strengths and weaknesses of each tribal group. Indeed, the slogan started by Kenneth Kaunda, the first President, of “One Zambia, one Nation” has proven to be true, with every citizen, no matter the tribe to which he/ she belongs, feeling proud of being Zambian.

UNDER SOCIALISM/ HUMANISM

The Zambia of today is very different from the one born 50 years ago. Following the trend of many other African countries, Zambia became a One Party State, guided by a socialist ideology. A lot of infrastructures were put in place, with free health and education. UNIP, under the guidance of Kenneth Kaunda, tried to build an egalitarian society, where the basic needs were taken care of. The rich were few, and even the children of the poor could go the university, once they proved themselves in the completion of their secondary education. However, the State was in control of everything and everybody, treating the citizens as minors, who are always in need of a tutor to guide them and tell them what to do. Dynamism, creativity and initiative were stifled by a system that thought for the people, creating an attitude of dependence, relying on the State, instead of feeling responsible for one’s own life and future.

A NEW ERA WITH THE MULTIPARTY SYSTEM

With the end of Kaunda era and the introduction of a multi-party system, Zambia has undergone a huge transformation: from socialism to capitalism, opening the gates to private initiative and creativity. There has been an explosion of dynamism and creativity, which has led people into new ventures, taking responsibility for their own livelihood. The fruits of this transformation can be seen everywhere, with new mines, new enterprises, new initiatives and a construction boom, transforming the face of towns and cities.

However, this transformation has not been an easy and painless one. Many people find it hard to survive, with a growing number living in the edges of poverty, while a new class of rich and very rich has been formed, many times trampling on the poor and exploiting them. And one gets the impression that the levels of education and of health care for the majority of the people have suffered, while the rich get the best private schools and private clinics. But nobody would like to go back to the old system, loosing the freedom of speech and the ability to pursue one’s own initiative and try one’s own luck.

GIVING THANKS TO GOD

As we celebrate 50 years of independence, we must give thanks to God for these years of peace, recognising the achievements of our Nation and giving praise to the political wisdom of the leaders that knew how to bring people together and lead them to live in harmony.

At the same time, all Zambians must commit themselves to the service of the country, caring for the welfare of the nation. Zambia needs to invest more in the infrastructures that will facilitate the creation of wealth. The rural areas need much more attention and more concerted efforts of development, so that farmers may see their work appreciated and rewarded. The State must invest much more in education at all levels in all provinces. The wealth of the country must be distributed fairly to all provinces. Not forgetting that Zambia needs to become less dependant on the multinationals and foreign capital, making it possible for Zambian companies to excel. The  future belongs to the youth, as the Bemba proverb says: Imiti ikula, e mpanga. Indeed, the growing trees are the forest. We must create opportunities for the youth and give them a voice. Our youth needs to grow, being given the opportunity to show initiative ad responsibility.

As we give thanks for 50 years of independence, let us ask for God’s blessings. May God bless Zambia, and pour his Spirit upon the Zambian people, so that they may always work for peace.