— Splendour and galore characterize jubilee celebrations in Lusaka

Acting  Republican President Edgar Lungu last night led hundreds of Zambians at National Heroes Stadium in Lusaka in hoisting the flag to mark Zambia’s Jubilee independence anniversary commemoration.

Mr. Lungu arrived slightly after 22:00 hours to join First Republican President Kenneth Kaunda, Vice President Guy Scott and Former Mozambican President Joackim Chisano and other invited guests for the function.

Earlier , Dr. Kaunda’s arrival at the stadium cheered the crowd after a footage  showed that the First Republican President was clad in the same attire he used to wear before and during independence in 1964.

Zambians clad in national colors filled the stadium to witness the ceremonial hoisting of the flag in the stadium which has only been witnessed by freedom fighters at Independence.

Traditional dances and performances were exhibited showcasing Zambia’s historical emblems spiced up by local and foreign musicians.

Video Footage and pictures of the five Presidents namely Dr. Kaunda, Frederick Chiluba, Levy Mwanawasa, Rupiah Banda and Michael Sata were  beamed on the screen to show the peaceful transition of power in the last 50 years.

At 23:59 hours  the Acting President descended from his VIP seat to the playing field to lead the jubilant crowd into a countdown to the hoisting of the flag.

The raising of the flag was accompanied by the National Anthem, blowing of vuvuzelas and beating of drums while all the lights were switched off.

The display of fireworks in the air was one of the spectacular things to watch as the skies of Lusaka were lit and colored .

At the same time the booming sound sent the crowd wild as the shouted after each spark of the fireworks.

The ceremonial hoisting of the Zambian flag symbolizes the patriotism and the nation’s natural resources.

This year’s raising of the flag at midnight last night was the fiftieth time the Zambia’s flag was being hoisted since 1964 when Zambia gained independence from the British colony.

Opposition Movement for Multiparty Democracy President Nevers Mumba and Ambassadors and high commissioners accredited to Zambia were among the dignitaries that attended the flag hoisting ceremony.