JOIN DRIVERN TAXI AS PARTNER DRIVER TODAY!
President Edgar Lungu yesterday led diplomats accredited to Zambia, senior government officials, services chiefs and freedom fighters in laying wreaths at the freedom statue in honour of men and women who died during Zambia’s liberation struggle.
This was in commemoration of the African Freedom Day which falls every 25th of May.
The 2015 theme for the African Liberation Day is,” Celebrating 50 years of our national existence and accelerating our social economic transformation.”
The President Lungu arrived at the Freedom Statue at about 08:30 hours.
Mr Lungu was met on arrival at the Freedom Statue by Vice President Inonge Wina, Speaker of the National Assembly Dr Patrick Matibini and some senior Patriotic Front and government officials.
The President also took time to greet the foreign dignitaries, Cabinet Ministers and their deputies and other people present at the function.
The occasion was characterised by solemn music played by the Zambia Army Brass band as Zambia joined the rest of the continent in commemorating Uhuru day of the African Union.
The fallen heroes were accorded a 21 gun salute after the wreath laying ceremony. The men and women were remembered for their sacrifice and contribution to the nation prior and after the colonial era.
Zambia got her independence from Britain on October 24, 1964.
And delivering a homily, Zambia Army Chaplin Vincent Mwenya urged African countries to strive to uphold the peace which the freedom fighters fought for.
Brigadier General Mwewa said it would be folly if the peace which the African fore-fathers fought so hard to attain was wasted.
Others present at the ceremony were Lusaka Mayor George Nyendwa and his deputy Potipher Tembo and several Lusaka residents.
May 25 is African Liberation Day and on this day, many African countries celebrate the hard-fought achievement of their freedom from European colonial powers.
It was founded during the first conference of Independent African States, which attracted African leaders and political activists from various African countries, in Ghana on April 15, 1958.
Meanwhile, President Lungu proceeded to Embassy Park, the presidential grave-site where he laid wreaths on late President Michael Sata’s tomb.
The Head of State also visited the tombs of late second and third Republican Presidents Dr. Frederick Chiluba and Levy Patrick Mwanawasa who are resting at Embassy Park in Longacres area.
Zanis
