As Zambia prepares to celebrate her golden jubilee on October 24, 2014 I remember some of the heroes who sacrificed their professional careers to free the country from the shackles of colonialism, neo-colonialism, racism and exploitation of man by man.
The first cabinet comprised Dr Kenneth Kaunda (Prime Minister), John Mwanakatwe (Education), Alexander Grey Zulu (Commerce and Industry), Justin Chimba (Labour and Mines), Sikota Wina (Health), Arthur Wina (Finance), Elijah Mudenda (Agriculture), Solomon Kalulu (Lands and Works), Dingiswayo Banda (Housing Social Development), Munukayumbwa Sipalo (Natural Resources), Rueben Chitandika Kamanga (Transport and Communication), Simon Mwansa Kapwepwe (Home Affairs), Mainza Chona (Justice), and Nalumino Mundia (Local Government).
Although there were many other leaders, especially unionists, like Lawrence Katilungu, John Chisata, Jonathan Chivunga and Wilson Chakulya, these are the men who laid the firm foundation that has enabled the country to flourish as a united nation that it is today.
In terms of economic performance, it is no exaggeration to say that with a vibrant but mono-economy based on copper mining, Zambia was the Botswana of today. Everyone, regardless of skin colour or nationality, wanted to be in Zambia.
It instantly became what Mecca is to a Muslim pilgrim – a place to visit at least once in a lifetime. For many, Zambia has become their permanent home and will be ‘singing and dancing’ when the nation toasts its 50th birthday on October 24, 2014.
Dr Kaunda and other African leaders such as Kwame Nkrumah (Ghana), Sir Tafawa Balewa (Nigeria), Patrice Lumumba (Congo DR), Abdel Nasser (Egypt), Hastings Kamuzu Banda (Malawi), Jomo Kenyatta (Kenya), Julius Nyerere (Tanzania), Joshua Nkomo and Robert Mugabe (both Zimbabwe) fought hard to combat racism as practised during the dark days of the apartheid system in South Africa.
I also remember that during the Rivonia treason trial, Nelson Mandela declared in open court that ‘if need be’ he was prepared to die to end both black and white domination, which he abhorred.
So I was not surprised when Dr Kaunda took advantage of his presence at Mandela’s funeral in South Africa last December to ‘lecture’ the “Boers” on the follies of racial segregation and to “do unto others as you would have them do unto you”.
The former Zambian president, who had helped liberate southern Africa by offering sanctuary to various liberation movements, was so emotional as he spoke that he reminded me of American civil rights icon Dr Martin Luther King’s two unforgettable quotes:
“Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that”; and “We must live together as brothers or perish together as fools.”
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